Sue Jameson on the Farage factor
Nigel Farage confirmed this morning he will not stand as an MP in the Newark by-election, which was caused by the resignation of Conservative Patrick Mercer.
Good Morning Britain's Political Editor Sue Jameson has more in her blog.
Nigel Farage said he'd let us know his decision by lunchtime today, in the end the nation had hardly swallowed its cornflakes before the UKIP leader told us he won't contest the Newark by election.
He's said it's because he wants to concentrate on the European elections coming up on May 22nd which his party is expected to dominate.
Mr Farage has also added that if he stood and won, David Cameron would have to resign, indicating he doesn't want to cause that much of a political earthquake.
However, there is another part of the jigsaw... The conservatives have a strong 16,000 strong majority in Newark and the UKIP leader had already admitted he does not have local ties.
When, not if, Nigel Farage fights a by election, he will chose one he can win - Kent may just spring to mind!