Former Nationals leader John Anderson will run for the Senate at the next federal election, saying he is gravely concerned for the nation’s future and wants to act as an adviser and mentor to the party’s leadership.

Mr Anderson, 64, who led the National Party from 1999 to 2005 and was deputy prime minister to John Howard before retiring at the 2007 election, will contest the party’s NSW Senate ticket with the blessing of leader Michael McCormack.