DARREN Cheeseman says the electorate's residents want PM Julia Gillard out, and that's why he's calling for her to resign.
Corangamite MP Darren Cheeseman spoke exclusively with the Geelong Advertiser yesterday after being bombarded with calls from media organisations around the country.
Mr Cheeseman intensified the Labor leadership debate on the weekend after he was quoted saying "Julia Gillard can't take the party forward" and "I think it's in the best interests of (the) party she should resign".
Yesterday he said his comments reflected the feelings of the people he represented in Corangamite.
"There's just so much feedback out there from my community, including long-time Labor supporters, that they're not going to vote for Labor while she's the Prime Minister," he told the Geelong Advertiser.
"Kevin Rudd is the most popular politician in Australia as opinion polls show. Kevin is the right person to lead Australia.
"I like Julia Gillard, I have a lot of respect for her but that's the reality. It's important I reflect the views of my community.
"I've chosen to make my views public and the local community has every right to know my thinking.
"I don't know what other people think. I've said enough, it's up to my colleagues now."
Holding the country's most marginal federal seat by just 771 votes, Mr Cheeseman yesterday said there was "no doubt about it" that he felt the leadership woes more than others.
Mr Cheeseman's stance is a far cry from his June 2010 position, when he backed Ms Gillard to topple Mr Rudd. Mr Cheeseman flanked Ms Gillard and Treasurer Wayne Swan as they triumphantly left the leadership challenge that day.
He spoke exclusively with the Geelong Advertiser yesterday after being bombarded with calls from media organisations around the country.
Mr Cheeseman intensified the Labor leadership debate on the weekend after he was quoted saying "Julia Gillard can't take the party forward" and "I think it's in the best interests of (the) party she should resign".
Yesterday he said his comments reflected the feelings of the people he represented in Corangamite.
"There's just so much feedback out there from my community, including long-time Labor supporters, that they're not going to vote for Labor while she's the Prime Minister," he told the Geelong Advertiser.
"Kevin Rudd is the most popular politician in Australia as opinion polls show. Kevin is the right person to lead Australia.
"I like Julia Gillard, I have a lot of respect for her but that's the reality. It's important I reflect the views of my community.
"I've chosen to make my views public and the local community has every right to know my thinking.
"I don't know what other people think. I've said enough, it's up to my colleagues now."
Holding the country's most marginal federal seat by just 771 votes, Mr Cheeseman yesterday said there was "no doubt about it" that he felt the leadership woes more than others.
Mr Cheeseman's stance is a far cry from his June 2010 position, when he backed Ms Gillard to topple Mr Rudd. Mr Cheeseman flanked Ms Gillard and Treasurer Wayne Swan as they triumphantly left the leadership challenge that day.
Read more on The Geelong Advertiser.
