The Wire

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd’s shock resignation creates a dilemma for the party. While he seems to have more popular appeal than Julia Gillard, the majority of the party doesn’t support him as leader.

Commentator Bernard Keane says the problem runs much deeper than personality politics, and points to a party that has lost its way. He says even if Rudd loses Monday’s ballot and goes to the back bench his very presence will continue to undermine the Labor leadership.