This morning a friend from London emailed to find out what the hell has happened to the Australian Labor Party? He was responding to the news overnight that, in a ballot for Labor’s 102-strong legislative caucus, Julia Gillard (the most unpopular prime minister in Australian history) smashed Kevin Rudd (the most popular prime minister in Australian history, whom she knifed late one night in June 2010) by a record 71 to 31 votes. ‘How can this be?’ my friend asked.
Well, Rudd’s fall from grace has little to do with Gillard and everything to do with Rudd. The 54-year-old Mandarin-speaking former diplomat has two weaknesses: he has never been much liked by anyone who’s worked closely with him and he presided over a dysfunctional government from December 2007 to June 2010.
Start with the personal. Mark Latham, the former Labor leader and a Spectator Australia columnist, reflects the views of many of Rudd’s colleagues when he says: ‘Those who know him best like him least.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in