FORMER Australian Democrats leader and Labor convert Cheryl Kernot last night backed Julia Gillard as heir apparent for leadership of the Labor Party, declaring that Kim Beazley could not win the next election.

She also dismissed foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd as more of the same.

Her comments to The Australian are a rare departure for the now reclusive Ms Kernot, who has been living in England and staying out of Australian politics since she lost her Brisbane seat in 2001.

She is now working in association with the University of Oxford’s Said Business School.

Long a supporter of increasing the number of women in politics, Ms Kernot said she could see absolutely no reason why Mr Rudd was being talked about as the next Labor leader ahead of Ms Gillard, the Opposition health spokeswoman.

“I’m putting up the collective hand for Julia,” she said. “I am simply saying that if there is to be a vote, it should not be factionally tied and Julia would have as good a chance as Kevin.”

Ms Kernot said the French opposition had seen the strategic sense in having the contrast of a competent woman, Segolene Royal, now set to become France’s first female president, against a backdrop of largely male politicians.

“In my view, Kevin Rudd, whatever his competencies, does not provide much of a contrast,” she said.

Although Mr Beazley was instrumental in her controversial defection from the Democrats and recruitment into the Labor fold in 1997, he no longer has her backing.

“I do not think Kim Beazley can win the next election for Labor,” she said. “Nothing has changed in his communication skills or the people he listens to. It’s not my place to say that he should make way … the Labor caucus will be struggling with that.”

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