IS THIS THE END OF KEVIN PM?
Is it all over for Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister?
Two polls out today – Newspoll and Herald/Nielsen- show that Kevin Rudd has two chances to become PM: Buckleys and none.
In the Newspoll Ms Gillard is 14 points ahead of Mr Abbott as preferred PM.
In the last fortnight her support rose from 39 per cent to 46 per cent, while Mr Abbott’s fell from 38 per cent to 32 per cent. Labor’s primary vote rose three points to 36 per cent while the Coalition shed five points to 41 per cent.
The latest Herald/Nielsen poll, also records Labor continuing a slow and steady climb out of the doldrums and that PM Gillard’s personal standing is improving.
Ms. Gillard leads Mr Abbott as preferred prime minister by 47 per cent to 44 per cent. These are Mr Abbott’s worst figures since he became Coalition leader in 2009.
However, according to Fairfax today, if Kevin Rudd were restored to The Lodge, it would give the ALP an election-winning lead.
But would it?
On the sheer numbers, perhaps: “The poll shows that in a hypothetical match-up between Mr Rudd and Mr Abbott, Labor’s primary vote would jump 10 points to 44 per cent, the Coalition’s would fall 4 points to 41 per cent. This would give Labor a two-party-preferred lead of 53 per cent to 47 per cent.”
However there’s one thing mere numbers cannot register – and that’s the almighty political fallout from such a move.
The Nielsen poll director, John Stirton said there would certainly be a boost for the ALP under Mr. Rudd, whose popularity, the poll shows, is in decline (Mr Rudd has fallen from 62 per cent as preferred leader three months ago to 55 per cent today) but it would be hard to tell how high that bounce would be, or how long it would last.
Many saw Mr Rudd’s interview with Leigh Sales from ABC’s 7.30 from China, given whilst the PM was on compassionate leave, as evidence he still has leadership ambitions.
Today we are asking you:
Should Kevin Rudd give away any thoughts of being PM entirely?
Or, no matter how slim his chance, should he take it now?
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34 Responses to this article
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Jessica September 17, 2012
It’s absolutely time to give it up. I think the fall out from a switch back to Kevin Rudd is difficult to predict and poll. Tony Abbott is excellent at highlighting the ALP’s weaknesses and this is too much ammunition for him. Abbott is definitely on a decline in popularity which I think will keep on going. And besides – most importantly, Julia Gillard has done an amazing job of pushing through a number of very important pieces of legislation. I believe she will be a much more popular PM when people look back in retrospect.
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Wendy Green September 18, 2012
Well said, Jessica; can’t help but agree with you 100%.
And on that interview with Leigh Sales on ABC, why is it that Kevin Rudd cannot be interviewed without having the leadership issue brought up EVERY TIME? When is our media, including you dear Hoopla, going to lay that furfy to rest for Heaven’s sake?? Kevin Rudd is an asset to the Labour Party and I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of him as the election campaign heats up, so get over it already!
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BRad September 17, 2012
We desperately need Kevin Rudd back in the chair where he belongs. Out with the old backstabbers. Good riddance.
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Janet Georgouras September 17, 2012
Rudd needs the majority of support from his party and cabinet. He must not have it if he was pushed out of the leadership in the first place. As it is, Gillard is doing a good job of sorting her way through the difficulties that arise and asserting her leadership in a hostile state environment. I do not think it would be a good idea to change leadership. It would only guarantee success to Abbott.
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Fee September 17, 2012
It is clear the people don’t want Julia or Tony. Did the poll say how votes would change with Turnbull in the big seat for Liberal? I think Turnbull bridges the gap between Labor and Liberal and would get a larger proportion of voters from all sides across the line even though the extreme right wingers in his own party don’t like him. The point is most people/voters don’t like extreme right wingers either. Kev should just give up though- not sure who should lead Labor but my feeling is we are all sick of the lot of them (across all parties) and it would be great to start from scratch again!
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Heather September 17, 2012
Bringing Rudd back would just play into the hands of the media and Abbott superbly right through to the next election. Don’t do it.
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Shirley September 17, 2012
Let’s not forget that had “someone” not leaked against Gillard during the election campaign, her popularity (and Labor’s) wouldn’t have plummeted overnight. We may not have ended up with a hung parliament and how different would her time as Australia’s first female PM have been? Not that the hung parliament has been a bad thing. But let’s not forget the role someone in her own party played on bringing down her potential success.
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Kay September 17, 2012
Rudd has demonstrated at every turn that it’s all about him. Self-belief is a good thing, but not when it tips over into self-delusion.
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June September 17, 2012
I agree Kay, I originally thought Kevin Rudd would be a good leader but when you consider none of his colleagues enjoyed working with him in any way, there must be a problem with him. I also agree that he appears to have a very high opinion of himself and showed this plainly by causing the ALP a lot of problems because he constantly avoided saying he was backing Julia Gillard.Alternately, almost all the ALP says that Julia Gillard is a very good and strong leader and they all say she works well with them. I think a lot of the public have become almost hypnotised into hating her and I would say Tony Abbott has done a great job in this regard.
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Lindy September 17, 2012
I knew that the polling was going to start to pick up for the prime Minister, when I heard the media opining about how long does Mr. Rudd have to take over and looking at the entrails of his 7.30 report interview, I knew. It happens every time that there is a lift in the polls. Mr Rudd knew what he was doing when he kept saying THE Prime Minister but I think that he was playing with the media as he often does.
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Annie Also September 17, 2012
Have been following this since the ‘leadership takeover’.
Julia would have been PM anyway if she ( and the poor widdle people who hate to work hard) had waited for one more election. She would have walked it in with a huge majority and all would be well for Labor for jonks.
Kev was pushed to put the matter to rest and he said that he would not contest the leadership before the next election. I believe him.
This hatred and divisiveness has all be led by MSM along with their overt support of Abbott. ( up until now).
Hopefully we will coast into the next election without any MSM, commentators or OTHER labor supporters banging on and on and on ad infinitum about “Kev’s ambitions”.
Advice to the Caucus, to the membership and to their supporters; Leave it alone, be unified, speak well of each other and all will be well coz Abbott will hang himself in the long run. -
Marnie September 17, 2012
Rudd (although having a strong charismatic personality) has proved to be too self opinionated and self serving to act in the best interests of his party or the country. Julia is slowing gaining respect as a leader and I don’t think there is any doubt that Tony Abbott is seen as an ineffectual weakling on policies with a sexist bully boy personality. Where does that leave us in terms of an effective PM? My money is on Julia, she has proven she can effectively run the country despite enormous odds against her with phenomenal strength of character.
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liz September 17, 2012
while the public may like him, Rudd’s fellow MPs seemingly dont want to work with him as leader – clearly demonstrated by his attempt earlier this year. He is reportedly not a team player, so I doubt would ever get the gig again. I see him as a gifted and wise man,and wish he woud find something else that fulfils him, and uses his skills
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Bev September 17, 2012
Kevin Rudd had his day. He fluffed it and if he had allowed Caucus a vote in June 2010 there would be no talk of a comeback now. His egotism has got in the way of him being a good Foreign Minister.
There’s no turning back to Rudd – he will forever be a divisive figure for Labor members who prefer PM Gillard.
Kevin needs to genuinely work for the Party, not himself. Labor will not fail if he does that.
Gillard is one heck of a courageous woman. She deserves to have the whole Party behind her. -
Jenny September 17, 2012
Definitely the wrong time for KR to come back – this would be seen as untenable instability in the Government, and ratings, which have been slowly improving, would go back dramatically again. Imagine the field day for the media and Opposition both! If he is to come back as leader, it would have to be at a time when election was a long way away, and when JG was on the decline in the polls.
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sofia at speak2us September 17, 2012
Kevin Rudd as PM was all style and no content. He was terrible as a leader. A talker not a doer. And it alarmed the majority of the Labor caucus until they had no option but to replace him. Since then he has been white anting the Government and, especially, the PM at every opportunity. An incredibly deluded and destructive personality. I’d like it if he just went away.
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liza September 17, 2012
I agree. I was impressed by Rudd as he is very refined ,however, I now realise how much ego he had to work with !
Julia is a decent person I suspect and has shown the Liberals up for what they have become.
The Greens were elected for their position on Climate Change primarily and so Julia had to do something for their support. If it comes to who is the bigger Liar..Tony Abbott actually grinned while stating that unless it is written down one should never believe a word he says.
Christopher Pyne also plays a disgusting role in the pursuit of government. Anything goes and the country can go to pot .
Fortunately the country has been doing very well under a minority government with certain issues having to be faced like Denticare,human Rights and gay marriage.
Shame Labour just could not go that bit further with the Greens and make the malaysia solution a whole lot better.Labour would rather do deals with scumbags than be seen to be beholden to the Greens .Shame. The independants sacrificed a great deal because they believed that Labour could rise above the minority issue and be bolder. Still much has been achieved. -
Alberta September 17, 2012
No return to Rudd, the moment has passed and Julia is doing a great job.
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Margi Macdonald September 17, 2012
Mr Rudd is yesterday’s man.
His party didn’t want him. Twice.
There is so much evidence on the record offered by his peers during his last leadership challenge in which his capacity to lead and manage effectively ( or not) is clearly stated.
PM Gillard may not be charismatic, but she’s getting the job done- the job the Labor party decided – twice – that Rudd simply cannot achieve.
Get lost Rudd.
You’re damaging the party. -
JoanneH September 17, 2012
Kevin Rudd was not ‘knifed’ (as the Libs./Media love to say) by Julia Gillard in 2010. She told him she would contest the leadership in a Caucus ballot, and he chose to step down as leader the next day because he knew he didn’t have enough support. Heart- breaking defeats are part of life, politics and business, and it takes a special type of person to rise above the bitterness. Unfortunately for him the ballot that he lost this year proved that getting rid of him was correct. His was prepared to bring a Government down to get his way and had been using his supporters to destabilize the Prime Minister by leaking damaging gossip to the media. Anything to purge the hatred he felt. He still has to be forced to coyly give his support to Julia Gillard. The Labor Party doesn’t need any more of his distractions, and are making it clear that they do not need him as Prime Minister.
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Janet Georgouras September 17, 2012
Time for Mr Rudd to become Ambassador to China. He and his family will enjoy living in Beijing in these interesting times.
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Vinny in Synny September 17, 2012
I thought Kevin and Julia made a fantastic team post 07. Like Fred and Ginger. In the years since, Julia has managed to prove herself the equal Kevin and many other leaders, “…backwards, in high heels”.
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Susan September 17, 2012
Kevin Rudd is over. I would not vote labor if he was the leader. Julia has my vote.
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Monica September 17, 2012
wow! These comments surprise me. I thought the polls were showing more people liked Rudd than Gillard.
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Leesa September 17, 2012
Mr Rudd…GO AWAY!
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Sarah September 17, 2012
I hope Rudd and his backers pull their head in and realise that Labor have a good shot at winning the next election. There’s a year to go and things are lining up nicely.
Rudd’s a great campaigner and he should do everything he can to make sure Labor win in 2013. Who knows, the PM might reward him by getting him back into Cabinet if Labor succeeds.
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lynda September 17, 2012
Kevin Rudd is a control freak…wanted to do it all himself!!….Juliar Gillard is a liar and still hasnt answered the accusations concerning the AWU….funny how they have been able to “slow” the investigations into Thompson and Slipper………God help us if this lot of fools are re-elected
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June September 17, 2012
I am so sick of the “Juliar” thing. You people should open your eyes and ears and listen a bit more to Abbott and hear a few more lies. As for that pipsqueak Christopher Pyne, he is like jack in the box, constantly jumping up and down objecting.
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Lulu September 18, 2012
Rudd continues to demonstrate just why his colleagues firmly got rid of him, twice. A vain and vindictive personality set for revenge is not PM material.
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Daphne Alaksa September 18, 2012
Please, please no more Kevin Rudd. He’s been there once, and people didn’t really think so well of him. As far as I can see Julia Gillard is probably the very best person to lead the Labour Party. I would be seriously concerned if the Liberal Party came to power at the next election. Tony Abbott scares hell out of me.
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Mrs Pops September 18, 2012
I am a captive of the personality cult. KRudd was a dud. I agreed with a change but there’s been mistakes in policy implementation. However, Julia is growing on me slowly. Tony just has this intense menacing look about him that ttry as I might I can’t warm to. The hatred for public sector emplyees is frightening me at a State level. I hope we see an end to it.
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Samuel J James December 18, 2012
Yes, little Kevvie Rudd certainly has a high opinion of himself. That said, from my professional assessment of him, he is certainly not prime minister material. He cannot get along with people. He is a self opiniated fool of a man who throws tantrums, abuses people and in my professional view, is way, way out of his depth. I trust he loses his seat come the next election. A boofhead indeed.
