Long time Labor voter Maurice McLeod at the Eureka Stockade Hotel today. PICTURE: JUSTIN WHITELOCK
PICTURE: JUSTIN WHITELOCK
DRINKERS at the Eureka Stockade Hotel were unimpressed by the goings on in Canberra today, judging by the volume of their political banter.
The well-patronised front bar had its eyes glued to a plasma screen TV this afternoon, waiting to see whether Australia would return to Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister.
When the challenge didn't eventuate, and Julia Gillard was elected unopposed, they made their feelings known.
Some argued Gillard was a terrible leader, others said she hadn't been given a fair go.
"They should just let her get on with the job," said Maurice Mcleod, who's voted Labor all his life.
Other customers didn't agree and weren't holding back on using colourful language when describing the government's record.
Mr Mcleod passionately argued with another drinker about Gillard's record.
"She's doing a lot for the Australian people, apart from giving the pensioners a rise," he said.
Today's challenge was never going to happen, said Mr Mcleod, because Mr Rudd knew he didn't have the numbers.
He also believed a return to Rudd wasn't the answer for Labor's woes.
"No, he had his chance. He stuffed up. He made so many mistakes when he was Prime Minister."
