Kym – that is the very point – surely people shouldn’t be happy to live with the knowledge that they are wrong! The truth is, and this is what Latham is about, is that a better life for all, and a better society for all, is not only possible, but extremely achievable.

People have become so caught up in the day-to-day that they have forgotten about everything else, and little Johnnie can take the credit for that. This is clearly recognised in someone from a lower socio-economic background who voted for Howard on the basis of interest rates, now losing any protection for their job because of the IR reforms by the government he/she voted for! But its almost like people don’t see the irony.

There is no common good anymore. But unlike you, although I understand this is the reality, it does not mean I am prepared to acquiesce in its presence. The more people question, the more change is possible. But the really scary thing is, the less people question, the more those in power can exercise their prerogative with zero accountability

Mark Latham blew his election chances when he spoke obscenities quite openly and quite often. That reflected badly on himself and those who put him up as future Prime Minister.
Australians by and large require their representatives to be repectable, well spoken and self disciplined.
The old 'larrikan' image may do at the local but not in parliament.
We do not elect yobs to lead us.

What nonsense Mr Stephens. A politicians objective is not to battle his/ her constituency but to represent it-does the term 'representative democracy' mean anything to you? How about the term 'house of representatives'?

Latham led the ALP to arguably its worst defeat ever. An outright majority in the senate was achieved for the first time in 3 decades and hugely parochial ALP seats were lost. It wasn't because of apathy about politics in Australia. Nor was it about Latham's 'conga of suckholes', nor his altercation with a taxi driver, nor his allegedly abusive first marriage, nor his ridiculous handshake with Howard. It was because people in this country were sick of being dismissed by the left as ignorant, or populist or straight laced.

Latham turned to the far left. The forrestry workers in Tasmania knew it and so did the majority of Australians- and they didn't like it. Nor did the community respect a leader who had been gifted a pathway to the top. As Kevin Rudd remarked "he was a man who had never held a job or position that was not in someway not connected to the ALP." What a sad indictment. Thank god Latham will never be Prime Minister of this country!

Excellent commentary. If only deposed leaders, or indeed anyone, on the Liberal side of politics would expose its inner workings, we would see similar factions and machine men manipulating, controlling, stacking pre-selections. Mark's truthfulness in publishing and his decision to quit should see him remembered as a man of courage and principle, despairing as the light on hill flickers into oblivion.

hijacked

No, mickijo, we don't elect yobs (remember Hawkie, anyone?) any more. Now we elect pusillanimous, lying, war-mongering, dog-whistling scum. Keeps the interest rates down and the towelheads out. It's an achievement of sorts to be the Prime Minister who makes Hawke look like someone you'd be proud to know.

I find Beazley's role in what happened to Mark Latham absolutely dispicable. His ego far outstrips his ability and listening to his eunoch-type voice gleefully say he was ready to take over...after he and others had white-anted Latham was nauseating.

Who are these people that stick with the ALP? Surely they know how patheric the bully-boys in power are? Mark Latham was a breath of fresh air....thank God we have the Greens. Whilst they are far from perfect, they are the real oppostion.