And now - the waiting game !

Yesterdays vote in the Labor caucus delivered a confusing picture.   It was clear that the citizens of Australia  preferred Kevin Rudd for this country's top job, but it was equally clear that Rudd's colleagues rejected that choice.   Perhaps the seventy-one supporting Gillard were delivering a verdict  against Rudd's " Presidential " style of holding office.   In his early days he clearly abandoned the Westminster system when he surrounded himself with a small clique of advisers - and virtually ignored his caucus - to rule by diktat !

At least the verbal war seems over.  Rudd has been graceful in defeat, and he has retired to the backbench promising to offer no future threat to Gillard's hold on the position of prime minister.   This promise does not extend to the possibility of being drafted, should Gillard's approval rating remain at abysmal levels as the next election approaches - but given the extent of yesterday's rejection, that seems unlikely.

This whole mess has delivered a stunning blow to the Labor brand.   The degree of division and in-fighting within the party has been dragged, kicking and screaming into the open for all to see, and the reasons that the party is on the nose with the voters remains unresolved - and can not be resolved as long as Labor remains hostage to the policies of the Greens and the whims of the independents.

Gillard promises to heal the divisions and in a surprise move, one of the Mandarins has stepped down from his position as a Senator, giving the old excuse of " needing to spend more time with family. "   This will not change the numbers, but merely replace him with another Labor nominee.  Perhaps this resignation is an attempt to bring distance between a dissenter - and the plans in place to resolve the problem formulated by the remainder of the " faceless men of the factions ".

It seems that the Mandarins have concluded that the next election will be a stunning loss with either Gillard or Rudd at the helm.    The damage done is too deep, and the only hope of salvation is a new face - and some dramatic new policies.    That new face has been selected.  Now it is a matter of timing.

Obviously Gillard must be given time to restore confidence in her government, but it would be fatal to stick with her too close to the next voting day, preventing that new face from having time to work magic on the voters.   Decision time is likely to be later this year - and certainly before years end.

That might provoke a new crisis.   Will Gillard respond to a quiet tap on the shoulder from the Mandarins - and step aside for the good of the party, or will she barricade herself in office and have to be dragged out screaming - as happened to several other celebrated political leaders  in Queensland and Britain ?

Each day of each week the inner workings of the Labor party will be ruled by opinion polls.   Saving the party from itself requires strong nerves and iron wills.    Even the slightest hesitation could see it slip away - past the " point of no return ! "