VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980)–About half of the donations to the NDP Leadership Campaign of Carole James came from unions, a fact the BC Liberals say points to continued labour influence within the New Democrats.

Liberal MLA Barry Penner says Carole James received about 27-thousand dollars from unions during her successful leadership campaign.

Penner says taxpayers should be concerned about that, “When it comes time to negotiate with the public sector unions you need somebody who is not beholden to those union leaders in order to look out for the best interests of taxpayers.”

[The Liberals received 67% of their reported donations from business and corporations, but I have yet to see or hear a story in the mainstream press questioning whether they have been beholden to these commercial interest in recent negotiations on labour or environmental legislation. And judging by the almost uniformly pro-corporate schemes being tabled, tough imquiries would be justified–ED.]

For her part James says unions are but one voice within her party, “I’m known to have an open door policy whether you’re a union member or a non-union member, whether you’re a member of the public or a member of business.”

The NDP has proposed campaign financing reform to take labour and corporate donations out of the system.

[Many progressives await public discussion on campaign finance reform–ED.]