Who will lead the Labor party post election?

With the election result likely to be known Saturday night, initial polling will indicate the state of play and possible losses to be encountered for the Labor party. What will the future hold for Prime Minister Keven Rudd? Will Kev remain as opposition leader until the 2016 federal election - not likely. Rudd is no certainty to win his Brisbane seat of Griffith, but most expect him to be victorious albeit with a slim majority.

Chris Bowen

Will Treasurer Chris Bowen take the reins post Rudd? Bowen has been a staunch supporter of Rudd, the undermining of the Gillard administration and won't exactly be post Rudd. Has Bill Shorten displayed leadership qualities?  Shorten deposed two sitting Prime Ministers after all and may lack the respect of his colleagues, he however does have strong union ties. Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the other hand is a logical choice, but once Rudd goes, does he have the support of the party?

Bob Hawke

If the result is as devastating as it is expected to be, will Kev's colleagues be in a forgiving mood or will the party move swiftly to distance itself from the dysfunctional KRudd era? Will the once touted saviour of the Labor party be relegated to villain? Despised by all within the party for not only the election loss, but the annihilation of the party.

Pundits are even starting to raise the question, should the party have gone to the election with Julia Gillard instead? Kevin's rock star appeal waned pretty quickly, he was after all sacked by his peers in 2010 for being incapable to perform his Prime Ministerial duties. However, Rudd is not alone, Bob Hawke was deposed by his party in 1991 by Paul Keating whilst still in office.

John Gorton in 1971 and Billy Hughes in 1923 were also deposed whilst holding power. I get the feeling we will be finding out pretty quickly, I don't think Kevin Rudd will last more than two weeks post election.