The MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin has left the Yukon Liberal Party in favour of sitting as an independent.

Darius Elias' decision, which he announced this morning, leaves the Liberals with only one seat in the legislative assembly. It's held by first-term MLA Sandy Silver, who represents the Klondike.

"It became very evident over the last couple of months that it was in the best interest of everyone in mind, myself, my family, my constituents, Yukoners, and the party, for that matter, that it's time for me to stand down from the Liberal party and look at things through a non-partisan lens,” Elias told the Star this morning.

He noted he got into politics to "make a difference” for his constituents, and Yukoners more generally.

However, after last October's election, the 40-year-old MLA found himself instead participating in the Liberals' rebuilding.

"That was never in the cards for me,” he said.

In the October 2011 election, the Liberal party dropped from five seats to two, losing their official Opposition status to the NDP.

That election was Elias' second time running for the Liberal party; he was previously elected in 2006 under the leadership of Arthur Mitchell, who lost his seat last October. He could not be reached for comment today.

Elias said he thinks it's important for politicians to re-evaluate their affiliations with parties and assess whether they align with the challenges and goals of their constituencies.

"That's what I've done over the last couple of months,” he said.

"This decision was a very difficult one, and I'm asking for people's understanding and to trust my judgment.”

"Political metamorphosis in this territory happens all the time, and I think that it can be healthy and it's a tool for elected officials to use when needed,” he said.

Working as an independent, Elias said, he'll be better able to focus on the "goals and aspirations” of his unique riding of Old Crow and the surrounding region.

"Especially, looking at those issues through a non-partisan lens, I can do things in a different way, recognizing the collective value of everyone's hard work in Old Crow.”

Elias did not rule out the possibility of joining another political party in the future, but did say: "Right now, I do not have a mandate to do anything other than to work as an independent in the legislative assembly during the next sitting.

"I don't know what the future holds.”

During the coming fall sitting of the legislative assembly, Elias said he will raise several key constituency issues.

Those include consistent winter road access to the community and educational issues. Among them are the need for a Grade 10 curriculum and regular flights home for Old Crow students attending school in Whitehorse.

Elias said there are also various health and social issues he hopes to address.

"Over the next four years, a lot of my time and energy is going to be devoted to ensuring that our community is sustainable and healthy.”

Elias was clear that his decision to leave the Liberal party is not about irreconcilable differences.

"The Yukon Liberal Party is in excellent hands with Mr. Silver; they're going to do just fine without me, and I wish each and every one of the honourable people associated with the party the best,” he said.

Silver said in a statement today, "Unfortunately, Darius Elias is no longer a member of the Yukon Liberal caucus. Effectively immediately, he will sit as an independent.

"Mr. Elias has long been an important part of the Liberal caucus and our door is open for him to return at a later date.

"I want to thank him for his many contributions to the party, and we wish him well.”

Silver could not be reached for further comment this morning.

Liz Hanson, the leader of the NDP official Opposition, said in a statement, "I wish Mr. Elias and Mr. Silver all the best as they continue the important work of representing their constituents in the legislative assembly.”

Hanson is currently travelling outside the territory and could not be reached for further comment.

Premier Darrell Pasloski was also unavailable for comment. A cabinet spokesperson said he was visiting the Minto mine today.

Ione Christensen, the Yukon's former Liberal senator and long-time party member, said at noon today she doesn't think Elias' departure is a set-back for the party.

"He was certainly a good, hard-working member as the interim leader, and he certainly put a lot of time in and worked hard on the different policy issues, but there's a lot of other people that will be able to come along and be running in the next election, whenever that happens to be (likely in 2016).

"Yukon politics being what it is, people come and go,” she said.

While Christensen said she hasn't yet spoken to Elias about his decision, she imagines he felt he could best serve his riding as an independent.

Old Crow, she said, has a lot of unique issues which aren't found in other ridings.

"Perhaps he feels that he can serve that riding much better by being an independent and by being able to just deal with their specific issues when they arise.”

The party's president could not be reached for comment this morning.

The last time the Liberals were reduced to one seat was after the 2002 election, when then-premier Pat Duncan's government was demolished by the incoming Yukon Party.

Duncan was the sole Liberal MLA to survive that election.

In terms of a public profile, the party has been largely silent since the spring session of the legislature ended, rarely commenting on or issuing news releases on the issues of the day.

By Ainslie Cruickshank

Star Reporter