Independent MP Wayne Furbert is calling for large donations to political parties to be disclosed in order to remove fears of Government influence being bought.

The ex-United Bermuda Party leader said donations to his former party had included six figure sums, but he stopped short of saying what the threshold should be for making donations public.

Mr. Furbert is calling for the House to set up a joint select committee to consider political campaign financing legislation, to ensure responsibility, accountability and openness.

And his call got the personal backing of Progressive Labour Party chairman David Burt.

Mr. Furbert, who hopes to debate the issue in Parliament, said he wasn't pointing a finger at any political party.

He told The Royal Gazette: "What we want is to ensure however that political parties and candidates are responsible and accountable within the political process to the voters."

Parties spent a considerable amount of time raising funds and, particularly in the run up to a campaign, could raise millions of dollars, said Mr. Furbert.

He added: "In some people's mind it is felt that because funds are given to a political party, then donors expect illegitimate government favours in return.

"These favours could be specific legislation, contracts or access to powerful Ministers.

"These favours normally come due once a party wins an election. It is possible that companies and individuals can withhold financial support unless promises are made or certain actions are taken.

"Democracy could be tinkered with if those who make sizeable financial contributions are able to influence the process."

Mr. Furbert said he wasn't objecting to large contributions. "But if they are going to make it, it should be disclosed.

"Bermuda is a mature and sophisticated jurisdiction and it is important that our political parties be above board when it comes to campaign financing."

He also questioned whether foreign companies should be able to donate after revealing that some international companies funded both parties.

Mr. Furbert said he had hoped to persuade UBP colleagues about the need for reform when he was in the party but got little support.

He said the UBP used to raise much more than the PLP but now the PLP is also pulling in big bucks.

The issue of party funding has been controversial across the world.

Wikipedia claims one survey in the United States found that 23 percent of candidates for statewide office surveyed, say that they spent more than half of their scheduled time raising money, and over half of all candidates surveyed spent at least a quarter of their time on fund-raising.

And it says the government budget is often used to finance campaigns in South America and Europe ranging from direct subsidy of political parties to government matching funds for private donations.

However Mr. Furbert said he was not calling for contributions by the taxpayer to Bermuda's party machines.

Stressing he was speaking in a personal capacity Progressive Labour Party chairman David Burt said: "After chairing the Progressive Labour Party through the last election, I support greater campaign finance transparency.

"The last election confirmed that our party's greatest power comes from everyday Bermudians who are candidates, volunteers and supporters.

"We don't concern ourselves with having the best financed campaign; we focus our attention on creating the best ideas for the country. And it seems to me, campaign finance transparency is another good idea."