SEVEN out of 10 Ipswich voters would prefer Kevin Rudd to Julia Gillard as Prime Minister.

Two days before Rudd’s self-dubbed “Assassination Day” anniversary, a clear majority of Ipswich voters believe that his superior leadership qualities, hardworking ethic, upfront nature and – for some – his Queensland origins, would make him a better Prime Minister than Gillard.

Yesterday’s street poll by The Queensland Times found that 71 out of 100 ordinary Ipswich voters would like to see Kevin Rudd reinstated as Prime Minister.

The result came a day after Queensland MPs asserted that Julia Gillard would not be able to win in Queensland unless she capitalised on Rudd’s popularity.

A senior Queensland ALP figure said that Gillard and Rudd would have to develop a much better working relationship, in order for Gillard to capitalise on her predecessor’s popularity.

“The public aren’t fooled. This is just overshadowing everything,” the source said of the tense relationship.

Some MPs have also suggested that Gillard give Rudd a bigger role in promoting the Labor brand in his home state.

With pro-Rudd feelings still strong around town, and only 29% of locals preferring Gillard to Rudd, this could be Gillard’s only chance to win over Ipswich voters.

MP for Blair, Shayne Neumann, said that Mr Rudd was a political asset for Labor in Queensland.

Dinmore resident John Clarke, 60, said he would prefer Kevin Rudd, but was obligated to vote for Gillard as head of the Labor Party.

“He got backstabbed, but I’ve been a Labor man all my life, so I have to vote for Gillard,” he said.

Kelly Teske, 32, of Leichhardt, said that Gillard’s seizing of the Labor leadership was unfair.

“He got ripped off. The people voted for him.”

Maureen Spencer, 67, of Dinmore, based her decision on the leaders’ qualities.

“I just don’t like Julia Gillard – Anna Bligh, yes please! – but not Julia,” Ms Spencer said.

Some voters, including Joanne Bryant, said that Rudd would make a better leader because of his experience being overthrown.

“I think he’s learnt a lot from it,” Mrs Bryant said.

But Raceview resident Evelyn McEvoy said she preferred Gillard, and that people needed to stop mourning for Rudd.

“Kevin Rudd’s had his time. Give Julia Gillard a go,” Ms McEvoy said.

Labor poll woes

Latest Newspoll figures show a Coalition lead of 42% to Labor’s 40% in the primary vote, after Labor lost two points and the Coalition gained four.

Labor’s 52% two-party preferred lead is their worst since Gillard took over from Rudd.

The Coalition narrowed the two-party preferred gap, gaining three points to be on 48%.

Gillard’s preferred Prime Minister lead is down from 30 to 16 points. Her preferred PM rating is now 50%, down from 57%.

Abbott is on 34% for preferred Prime Minister, after creeping up seven points.