The two Federal independents last week predicted the federal Liberal and National parties could merge within months.

In an interview with Channel 10 yesterday federal Nationals leader Warren Truss made it clear that not only was a federal merger far from a fait accompli, but it was also possible The Nationals may leave the coalition altogether.

“We’re looking at all options, not just (a) merger,” Mr Truss said.

“We’re looking at the potential to even go it alone or to have a stronger role – or a different role – in the

coalition.”

Mr Truss’s remarks can definitely be interpreted as showing The Nationals feel they suffered at the polls in the last election because of their close association with the Howard government.

Once marketed as the party of rural Australians, The Nationals were one of the first – and most successful – special interest group parties in this country.

They have, down the decades, tried to create the illusion that although in government they had their own identity and a loyalty to regional Australia.

That image became harder and hard to maintain over the more than a decade of Howard government with The Nationals perceived as having given in on issues vital to the bush on a number of occasions.

The Telstra sale was perhaps the most public and, in the longer term, the most damaging.

Gun law reform didn’t do Nationals members in country electorates any favours either.

There was also a feeling the Howard government, particularly in its later years, was not a government that paid much heed to the needs of the bush – despite the fact convention dictates the leader of The Nationals is always the deputy PM when the coalition is in power.

By predicting a merger Mr Windsor and Mr Katter may well be indulging in wishful thinking.

If The Nationals were to split from the coalition and return to their roots they could pose an interesting

challenge to the independents.