As David Cadman sees it, Jim Green paid the ultimate price for leaving COPE behind.

While much has been made of mysterious independent candidate James Green possibly stealing votes from Jim Green and handing the Vancouver mayor's seat to Sam Sullivan, Cadman says it's not true.

"I don't think it was a real issue at all, I think that is just an excuse," Cadman told The Tyee. "I maintain that if Jim Green had run for COPE he would have won."

Cadman predicted a unified COPE would have maintained a strong council majority, but the division ushered the NPA back to power.

'Take some responsibility'

"I basically brought Larry Campbell on for Mayor (in 2002), and then these people that came in with COPE left, including Jim Green who was a member for 32 years. I think Jim Green has to take some of the responsibility for the split."

"What happened is the division created a situation where COPE didn't have the financial resources to run a strong campaign," Cadman added.

Cadman also said that the unions desperately wanted a unified left slate, but Green's organization turned a deaf ear when union reps came forward with reunification suggestions at an opportune time, when Larry Campbell was appointed to the Senate.

"Many would have approached them to say this is the time to get back together," Cadman said. "But they (Vision Vancouver) were sure of victory and sure Jim Green would be mayor."

Sam Cooper is a reporter for The Tyee.