Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has confirmed he will break from the party at the end of this term of government, declaring in a letter to branch members on Saturday that he will not stand for his seat of New England at the next election, leaving open his option to switch to One Nation.

This masthead broke the news on Friday that Joyce was in advanced talks with Pauline Hanson about a switch to her One Nation party.

The member for New England, Barnaby Joyce.

The member for New England, Barnaby Joyce.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Joyce did not confirm the move, but cited a number of policy differences and personal grievances with the Nationals’ current direction in Canberra.

“My relationship with the leadership of the Nationals in Canberra has unfortunately, like a sadness in some marriages, irreparably broken down,” Joyce wrote.

“The instructions that during the federal election I was not to campaign outside New England, as that did not represent the views of the Nationals, then after the election being moved on for ‘generational change’ and just the atmospherics in the party room, where I am seated in the far corner of the Coalition in the chamber, means I am seen and now turning into a discordant note. That is not who I want to be.

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“More importantly, our position in continuing to support net zero with the massive schism and hurt to my electorate, to small businesses, to the environment, to the poor, to the defence of Australia and creating hate between lifelong friends in my community, makes continuing in the Nationals’ party room in Canberra under this policy untenable.

“I will not be standing for New England again but will complete my term as promised at the last election. I will leave with the greatest of love for all and money in the electorate bank account.

“I am free to now consider all options as to what I do next.”