Kevin Rudd ignores Mark Latham's 'jihad' slur Mark Latham launched a blistering attack on Kevin Rudd on the ABC's Q&A. File image Source: News Limited KEVIN Rudd says he won't be responding to criticism by former Labor leader Mark Latham. Mr Latham told the ABC's Q&A program on Monday that Mr Rudd was engaged in a ``jihad of revenge" against Julia Gillard, who ousted him in June 2010. ``You're getting into the realm of evil here with Rudd . . . with someone who has gone well beyond normal practices in politics," Mr Latham said. He said Labor had been through five leadership changes in 12 years and none had been as bitter as the Rudd-Gillard change. A spokesman for Mr Rudd told AAP: ``Mr Rudd has not responded to anything Mr Latham has said in the last eight years and he is not about to start now. During his appearance on Q&A, Mr Latham said the party would be better off losing the election rather than electing Kevin Rudd leader. He accused Mr Rudd of sabotaging the party's election campaign in 2010 and preparing to do it again for this year's election. Mr Latham said Mr Rudd's ego is out of control and he must not be rewarded. Gillard says she will lead Labor to the next election. He knows that every day he gets in the media cycle he's knocking Gillard down a notch or two in the polls. This is a program, a jihad of revenge, the like of which we have never seen before in the history of Australian politics. And it goes beyond the normal human reaction of revenge. You are getting into the realm of evil. Despite polls that indicate Mr Rudd would give Labor a better chance in the election than Julia Gillard, Mr Latham said the party would better off "dying on its feet." He said rank and file members should elect the party leader. "The current caucus has lost the moral right to select the leader," he said. With six leaders in 12 years, Mr Latham said the party had splintered and become ungovernable. Research showing voters are still angry at how Kevin Rudd was dumped as prime minister almost three years ago is helping to fuel the last-minute attack on Julia Gillard's leadership before the Federal election.