Gregor Robertson: beware the power of the NDP Kingsway Mafia

But first, it’s important to describe the politics of most of the members. The Kingsway NDP Mafia tends to be looser with public funds, less keen than other NDP members on environmental issues, and more strongly supportive of the labour movement and the wishes of the B.C. Federation of Labour.

If there’s one thing that binds the members of the Kingsway NDP Mafia, they side with labour leaders on issues of importance to the private-sector labour unions.

In the past, that has included lifting a moratorium on slot machines in the interest of job creation; supporting major construction projects like the Canada Line that create lots of jobs, lots of union dues, and lots of money flowing into the workers’ pension plans; and building social housing rather than employing tactics like rent supplements to make housing more affordable to the poor.