Independent MP Wayne Furbert has denied being a hypocrite on party financing despite calling for it to be opened up last week whereas three years ago he appeared to be saying the opposite.

In a story from The Royal Gazette from December 2006, Mr. Furbert, who was then United Bermuda Party leader, said: "Funds would dry up very fast," if campaign contributors were identified.

He added: "When you talk about political donors, Bermuda is so small. People are very confidential."

Last week Mr. Furbert called for large donations to political parties to be disclosed in order to remove fears of governments being bought.

He revealed 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 called for the House to set up a joint select committee to consider political campaign financing legislation, to ensure accountability and openness and he has tabled a motion on the matter.

Yesterday he told The Royal Gazette he was being consistent on the subject.

After having the 2006 story read to him he said: "That is not a denial that this should not be done. If you look at my statement last week I used the same words that we were small.

"That's why I said the parties need to come together on this."

Mr. Furbert's e-mailed statement from last week said: "I am sure most voters will recognise that there are some benefits, such as integrity, disclosure, accountability and transparency, which means parties and candidates have to be accountable for their action.

"One of the weaknesses would be the disclosure. Many people over the years have given parties money secretively and would not want their names to be known, this could hinder parties raising funds.

"I am hoping that both parties will agree with the motion and while in the committee we can look at many models such as Canada, England, Australia and others but come up with a legislative model that is unique for Bermuda and its size."

Yesterday he explained that the 2006 story did not say that funding should not be looked at.

"I never said we shouldn't and you can't say I didn't. I am not being hypocritical at all. We are small but we have to look at it."

However, Mr. Furbert has been consistent about raising concerns about donations from foreigners.

Electoral Commissions in both the United Kingdom and the United States make donor lists publicly available for inspection in most cases the information is available online.

The same commissions also prevent non-citizens and foreign corporations from making political contributions of any kind but in Bermuda, there's no law to prevent either type of contributor.

Recently Mr. Furbert said: "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."

Both the United Bermuda Party and PLP chairman David Burt have expressed support in looking at the issue of campaign which could be debated this parliamentary session.

In the US individual candidate donations at the federal level are limited to $2,100 per election cycle.

And a candidate can spend as much as he wants on the campaign as long as he agrees to use only private funds.

In the UK, there's no limit on voter contributions to a particular candidate or party.

But there is a limit on how much a candidate can spend — $30,000 per contested seat.

In Bermuda campaign donations and expenditure are limitless.