Locally, Mr. Greg Hakonson is holding hands with Willard on this objective.

Both walked away from the Yukon Energy Corporation because of the ATCO scandal.

This falling out with Premier Fentie is obviously being exploited in order to springboard the ‘independent’ no-party movement.

Of course I agree with the notion that party politics is too cumbersome for a small community like the Yukon.

Getting there might be messy.

http://whitehorsestar.com/archive/story/poll-testing-waters-for-phelps-return/

It would be interesting to hear arguments for or against. In any event, the discussion should start sooner rather than later.

As to who will lead the charge? That remains to be seen.

I suspect that if it becomes a high-profile issue, we might see some of the MLAs jump ship. How does it become a high-profile issue? A bunch of good, “organized” Independents run, make their displeasure with the party system the issue, and then we see what happens!

One has to elect a ‘party’ whose main platform is to do away with itself and other politically ‘branded’ entities within the context of Territorial governance.

Of course this party of Independents would need a majority to execute their common goal.

Sadly, political parties exist to entrench themselves and grow their power base. However, if a majority of the MLAs were Independent and supported a no-party system, that would do the trick.

How do you get that to happen? Perhaps a temporary “party” of Independents?

The other factor is the small sums of money required to run in a Yukon election. The successful candidate in Klondike spent a mere $11,787.83 in 2006 which is a pittance in electoral terms and negates the need that is seen elsewhere for big brand parties and the finance they bring.

I think voters in the Yukon can become the architects of any representational model they wish to construct, as long as it doesn’t conflict with the Canadian Charter. I suppose even that can be tested if needed.

The Klondike riding could provide a vehicle for this kind of change in thinking. I’m not entirely sure what the outcome would be if the status quo was challenged.

Given the right candidate(s) we might be surprised.

If elected, the slate would amend the applicable legislation (Elections Act etc) forthwith and move to a second, party-free election immediately thereafter (within a few months max, preferably weeks).

It will only really work though if the political class has the capacity to accept such a convention and govern by consensus. Otherwise they’ll quickly return to their groups (if not in name) and childish self-important bickering to the detriment of us all.

Bottom line we need some higher calibre intellect in there. Unfortunately for you and democracy, Klondike is a one-party riding.