The Labor party of Australia has experienced serious political battle between formidable contenders with outstanding leadership qualities and polished political ideology. In the resent part, the two main contenders, Mr. Rudd and Ms. Gillard exchanged harsh words in their quest to woe support of the Labor party. Thus, this reflective treatise attempts to explicitly review Rudd and Gillard’s leadership styles, political language, and relationship to the Labor party. Besides, the paper presents their differences in political ideology and personality.
Mr. Rudd has presented himself as the voice of reasoning with a populist personality and international focus. Besides, his public relation to the media is excellent. These elements have made his leadership style slightly above his main rival in party ticket, Ms. Gillard. Being a charismatic person, Rudd’s leadership style focuses much on matters of international concern. On the other hand, Gillard has a local approach to major political issues. She is much focused on domestic affairs as depicted in her manifesto. Interestingly, she has successfully presented her candidature as a good negotiator than Rudd. Besides, she is tough and very firm in debating political, social, and diplomatic issues.
In the periphery of political language, the populist Rudd has managed to master a unique political presentation in his friendly media image. He is easy going and almost owns the status of an international celebrity despite series of failings. In comparison, Ms. Gillard is a perfect administrator with dismal celebrity personality. As a matter of fact, her administrative skills gives her an advantage above the over confident rival who has attempted to undermine her from time to time. As a result, she easily replaced the embattled Rudd despite her unpopularity. In this sense, Ms. Gillard capitalized on her firmness and domestic policies to come to power as a prime minister.
The relationship between Rudd and Gillard can be described as purely professional during good times. However, this interaction is characterized by divergent opinions, popularity contest, and self interest. Upon losing his premiership, Rudd is replaced by Gillard despite previously undermining her leadership. Notwithstanding, Gillard has many friends and political handlers to compensate for unpopularity. Rudd’s friends are his subordinates who are very few. As a result, he is likely to lose to the composed and tough Gillard in 2013. However, their unstable relationship is likely to remain professional because they share same party and have same political ideology.
As a politician, Gillard has curved an image of a ‘straight talker’ and an asset to the party as compared to Rudd. Besides, she has cunningly managed to keep her public life scandal free unlike the scandals stricken rival. Thus, Gillard is likely to survive a possible challenge from Rudd because the Labor party cannot assume or get rid of her following the present political dynamics in Australia. In addition, she might get a definite endorsement authority since the Labor party lacks a high profile contender to challenge her re-election bid. In fact, she enjoys a majority support from the party despite having been nicknamed a ‘harmless and faceless party member’.
Conclusively, Gillard and Rudd are cunning politicians with different approaches to administration and policy ideology. Interestingly, the infamous Gillard outshined the charismatic Rudd and replaced him as the prime minister in a silent party coup.