It's time for the Yukon to rid itself of party politics, says local businessman Kenn Roberts.

Roberts is one of a handful of organizers who've kicked off a campaign to attract independent candidates for the upcoming territorial election.

Far too often, Roberts told a news conference Monday afternoon, elected members of the legislative assembly are made to toe the party line rather than represent the views of the communities that elect them.

A consensus style of government by independent MLAs works in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and there's no reason why it can't work in the Yukon, he said.

'It is a good idea, and it's good to point out alternatives to Yukon people.'

Roberts said he and three others met Monday in advance of the press conference to discuss the initiative.

He said there are three individuals he knows of right now who indicated an interest in running as independents, though he declined to release their names.

Potential candidates want to wait and see how much interest there is in the idea of a consensus style of government by a slate of independents before letting their names be known, he said.

Roberts is optimistic they'll be able to attract candidates for all 18 ridings.

As president and chief executive officer of his own company started three years ago, this is not the right time for himself to take a shot at a seat, he suggested.

Roberts, however, said if there is no candidate for his riding of McIntyre-Takhini, but there is strong interest elsewhere in the territory, he would run.

He acknowledged he did approach the Yukon Liberal Party about a month ago on a shopping tour to explore whether he'd be comfortable sitting as a member of the Grits.

The Liberal party, he said, only offers about half of what he was looking for, while the New Democrats and Yukon Party don't even come close.

The 35-year-old businessman said he doesn't pretend to have all the answers when it comes to establishing a consensus style of government, nor how a group of independents would fit alongside a slate of party politicians inside the legislature.

But governing by consensus rather than by party platforms has a proven track record, and makes MLAs more accountable to their constituents, he emphasized.

Roberts said electing independents is a means of providing a conduit for the different ridings to ensure their desires and beliefs are represented in the legislature.

And while he doesn't have any illusions about a slate of 18 independents winning all their seats in the next election, their efforts are at least a catalyst for change, he said.

In the Northwest Territories, elected MLAs get together after the election to appoint a premier and cabinet from among themselves.

Yukon Liberal Party Leader Arthur Mitchell and NDP Leader Todd Hardy have both suggested there is a fundamental flaw with Roberts' plan. Either a candidate is independent, or not, both leaders told the Star in interviews last week.

You can't, they argue, call yourself an independent if you have plans to be part of or support what Roberts is calling a forum for independents.

Premier Dennis Fentie has declined comment on the notion.

The premier must call an election no later than November.

Party politics were introduced in the territory in 1978.