Former party leader Barnaby Joyce set to leave Nationals

A fresh shock for the Coalition tonight, with one its most recognisable faces, and former leaders, set to depart.

Barnaby Joyce has declared he will NOT re-contest his seat of New England, and is now being publicly lobbied to join forces with another of parliament’s colourful characters, Pauline Hanson.

North West locals were blindsided by the news today, with many confident Mr Joyce still has a lot to offer.

It comes as One Nation plans to plant its flag in his New England electorate.