Labor MPs stay silent on leadership saga dogging the ALP Julia Gillard leaves The Lodge a day after retaining the Labor leadership. Picture: John Feder Source: Herald Sun ABOUT 100 Labor MPs gathered yesterday for what may have been their last formal meeting with the Prime Minister before the election and not one directly raised the leadership saga that has dogged the ALP. Despite despair in government ranks about polls suggesting they face a wipeout and speculation about a return to Kevin Rudd, MPs dodged the issue. One MP said there was an "eerie silence" about the elephant in the room. Rudd more popular on Twitter PM wins approval as key vote put off Julia Gillard did not receive one question on any topic but gave MPs a pep talk to "focus on the nation and not ourselves" and "to put purpose before self-interest." Ms Gillard received Hollywood support from Russell Crowe who said on Twitter: " (Malcolm) Turnbull would be a great prime minister ... But some Labor MPs say the leadership question is still not settled and something might still happen next week. Ms Gillard, Mr Rudd and others will miss next Tuesday's regular Caucus meeting because they will be attending a memorial service for Hazel Hawke. Julia Gillard left today's Labor Caucus meeting looking confident, despite speculation of a leadership challenge. But chatter in Labor circles is that if there is to be a move on the leadership it will happen next Wednesday or Thursday - the final two sitting days of Parliament. Mr Rudd's supporters say he will not challenge - although some say he should - and will only return if he is drafted to lead a united party with Ms Gillard agreeing to step down. Hawke told you stay away from leadership debate One close supporter of Ms Gillard said she would not quit and it would be a "cold winter" for those hoping she would. A motion by retiring Victorian MP Steve Gibbons to remove from the Labor leader the power to select the frontbench, which Mr Rudd gave himself in 2007, was deferred until after the election to avoid it becoming a proxy leadership fight, although key backers of Mr Rudd support Ms Gillard's position.