Outspoken Liberal MP Julia Banks has sent a powerful signal to voters that she may run as an independent candidate at the next federal election, keeping the option alive after she called out the “bullying and intimidation” in Parliament.

Ms Banks has sent a written message to voters that she will not be contesting the next election “as a member of the Liberal Party” but has been silent on her further plans in the wake of the August leadership spill.

Asked about her email to voters, Ms Banks issued a short statement to Fairfax Media saying: “My focus is on my constituents and always has been, and I always keep my options open.”

Liberal MP Julia Banks in Question Time this week. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The message throws another wild card into the next election, due by May next year, as the Liberals prepare to choose a candidate next week to replace Ms Banks in the eastern Melbourne seat of Chisholm.