There's now less than 24 hours before we see whether Kevin Rudd will become Australia's next Prime Minister. Chances are this wont happen but it's all about credibility for him. If he can pull enough numbers from the caucus not to embarass himself, keep getting rock star rceptions from the public, and have Gillard keep doing terribly in the polls he'll be PM before the end of the year.
Having said that there are still two wild cards left in the pack for the current spill. Bill shorten and Greg Combet. I don't think they've declared their hands yet (happy to be corrected) and they could make a big difference to the outcome. But I still think there's too much disaffection with Rudd from inside the caucus. [EDIT – shorten is backing Gillard]
One thing's for sure, if Gillard holds her position, Rudd's 18 month long dummy spit will continue.
itsandrew
Go as far as you can see and you will see further.
Wouldn't pick you for an anarchist! But I do sympathise with what you are saying. When a government doesn't have control in it's own right, governing the country becomes more of a circus than normal. Whether it's Rudd or Gillard it won't change that. Reality is it's probably best for the country if we have an election asap so this hung parliament is dissolved. But it aint gonna happen if Gillard is returned. And doubtful if Rudd is returned.
itsandrew
Go as far as you can see and you will see further.
Agreed. I don't think the ALP have a glut of high quality leaders atm. Alternatives are Crean and Shorten. Perhaps Swan fancies himself too? If Rudd get's up he's there until the election. If Gillard wins it remains a 'watch this space' scenario for the next few months ie. it won't be resolved 'once and for all'.
itsandrew
Go as far as you can see and you will see further.
What annoys me is MP’s are supposed to be elected as a representative of the people in their electorate, which seems to be overwhelming support for KRudd, but as we have seen in the media some MP’s have stated that despite their electorate favouring KR they are going to vote for Julia.
Can any modern politicians even spell the word integrity?
I’m studying Business at Uni and have done a few HR subjects which always have an element of leadership in the curriculum, not once do they ever use politics as an example, coincidence?
Kevin Rudd said words to the effect that the ALP would still be in trouble if he didn't exist and that they would be looking for someone else to take the leadership in his absence. I think he's right. There's probably a lot in the ALP that agree with him but who aren't prepared to back Rudd because of his serious leadership flaws.
What annoys me is MP's are supposed to be elected as a representative of the people in their electorate,!
As Macca on the ABC pointed out this morning, voters have got absolutely nothing to do with it! It is the members of the party who select the local at branch level (as well as the Party having a big say in the matter), then it is the Party (with the local members) who then elect the prime minister.
Voters have nothing to do with it unless you are a member of the party.
Voters have nothing to do with it unless you are a member of the party.
Sure, the parties put up the candidates but preselection is not all that democratic. Besides, candidates still have to be voted in by, and supposedly represent, their electorate.
Scratch wrote:
What annoys me is MP's are supposed to be elected as a representative of the people in their electorate,!
But if your average punter only fronts up on election day and casts their vote based on if we have a carbon tax or not (or some other hip pocket nerve issue), or even worse because they like (or don't like) how a party leader looks and sounds, the local member doesn't really have to represent them that much.
Rolling up to the odd local function, a couple of nice photos in the local paper visiting the local kinder, supporting local causes that they can't change because it's out of their jurisdiction, and taking phone calls of concerned voters without upsetting them and voila you have a nice local member to boot.
Am I too cynical?
itsandrew
Go as far as you can see and you will see further.
Gillard 71, Rudd 31 A comprehenive victory. Even if Rudd got closer I think he has irrepairably upset too many of his powerful colleagues to make serious headway for another challenge (notwithstanding that politics is a funny game). He'll try to gain numbers but I don't think he'll make enough inroads. I think it will take a 3rd party to topple Gillard.
itsandrew
Go as far as you can see and you will see further.
What a collection of bad choices! Labour reeling from one cluster to the next, Tony running round in budgie smugglers, taking cheapshots at labour and not actually showing us whether he is capable of running a country, Bob the greenie picking up scraps of power and trying to hold the govt to ransom for his one eyed policies. Its such a bloody sad bunch at the moment I would almost vote for Pauline!
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