Tell Gillard to go, urge Rudd backers Not challenging: Kevin Rudd. Kevin Rudd supporters believe the government's crippling leadership stalemate can only be broken if one or more senior ministers loyal to Prime Minister Julia Gillard tap her on the shoulder. Appealing to a "greater loyalty" as Labor eyes a potentially crushing defeat that some fear could decimate it for a generation, key Rudd backers say their man will not challenge but insist that something must give. They say the ball is in the court of a clutch of ministers with the Prime Minister's ear, arguing it is time for a delegation to reprise the role played by Gareth Evans in 1991 when he told a politically wounded Bob Hawke: "Pull out Digger, the dogs are pissing on your swag." Strong Gillard backer: Bill Shorten. However, party insiders say any such move by "friendlies" would not be telegraphed and would require "absolute secrecy" to have any chance of being persuasive. Ms Gillard spent most of Canberra's 100th birthday celebrations on the capital's public holiday on Monday ensconced in The Lodge, meeting with her leadership group, factional conveners and her parliamentary tacticians, before what promises to be a difficult sitting fortnight. Federal caucus meets on Tuesday, before the resumption of sittings, with MPs reeling from the electoral drubbing dished out to Labor in the West Australian state election, where the party suffered a 2.2 per cent swing against it. Lacking numbers: Greg Combet. The Liberals picked up a swing of nearly 9 per cent, returning Premier Colin Barnett in a landslide. Momentum appears to be gathering within caucus for a late and extremely risky leadership change before the September election, reversing the sudden removal of Mr Rudd in favour of his then deputy in June 2010. Estimates of support for the ousted leader differ but it is widely acknowledged, even in the Gillard camp, that Mr Rudd has gained supporters as increasingly desperate Labor MPs face a likely humiliating loss in September. Gillard supporters, however, scoff at claims support for Mr Rudd now exceeds that for Ms Gillard. The Rudd camp is determined not to repeat tactical errors committed in the first leadership ballot in February last year, when Rudd was goaded into challenging effectively while still overseas and before he had built adequate support. He lost that ballot decisively after a series of brutal character assessments by former cabinet colleagues, 31 votes to 71. Ms Gillard's supporters say she is getting on with the job and deny that anything has changed for the government. They insist her meetings on Monday were routine tactical meetings before the return of Parliament and were not connected to the internal leadership chatter. WA's most senior Labor figure, Defence Minister Stephen Smith, conceded on Saturday night that Labor's state campaign in the west was damaged by the low standing of federal Labor. "We were a drag," he said during the ABC's election night coverage. I don't think, really, given the difficulties we are going through, that is a surprise. Leadership alternatives KEVIN RUDD Former prime minister replaced by Julia Gillard in the 2010 coup. Regarded by many as the only candidate capable of saving Labor's bacon. However, the 55-year-old has ruled out a challenge. Whatever slim chance he would have of reversing Labor's nosedive would be obliterated by an open contest for the position or by any post-change division such as he has visited on Gillard. BILL SHORTEN The 45-year-old is oft-touted as a future leader and holds significant institutional sway as a former head of one of the country's most powerful unions, the AWU. But he is also a strong backer of Julia Gillard and has rejected requests to switch back to Rudd. Cannot be ruled out but is more likely to play the decisive king-maker role in any Rudd/Gillard showdown. GREG COMBET The dark horse from the Left. The 54-year-old is a good parliamentary performer, and is seen by some as a no-nonsense Labor loyalist capable of taking the fight directly to Tony Abbott. But he lacks the numbers on his own. Potentially most important in terms of his own preference between Rudd and Gillard. At this stage he remains firmly in the latter camp. Important players Young and talented and regarded as one of the most important ministers in the new guard. A Gillard backer to now, he hails from the Left and carries some influence. Is close to Anthony Albanese who backed Rudd in 2012. Julia Gillard's chief protector in the Parliament was actually a Rudd vote in the last contest. Respected across the party, he is loyal to Gillard as a senior minister but would likely back Rudd again. Julia Gillard's hand-picked foreign affairs minister has already defied her once on Palestinian representation at the UN. His departure from the Gillard camp could be a mortal blow. DON FARRELL One of the three faceless men from the 2010 coup. The understated South Australian senator is no fan of Rudd but regarded as sufficiently hard-headed to read the writing on the wall. Is seen as pivotal to any move to dump Gillard. Strong Gillard backer who has made no secret of his views about dysfunction under Rudd as PM. Thought unlikely to change but would be a big "get" for the Rudd camp if he decided Gillard's goose was cooked. The former Labor leader has been outspoken in his critique of Rudd but is known to be also disappointed in a succession of errors emanating from the Gillard operation. Gillard's respected finance minister remains firmly on her side. However, the flinty left-winger is also a party loyalist inclined to focus on its longer-term interests. Could be crucial in a psychological sense.