Changes

The popularity of Howard was at an all-time low since [[Kevin Rudd]] became the opposition leader. The gap in the polls lessened slightly during the second half of 2007, although the ALP enjoyed a winning lead right up to the November 2007 election.

The popularity of Howard was at an all-time low since [[Kevin Rudd]] became the opposition leader. The gap in the polls lessened slightly during the second half of 2007, although the ALP enjoyed a winning lead right up to the November 2007 election.

== Future ==

== Political demise ==

Howard tried to win a fifth term in office at the federal election held on 24 November 2007.  He had pledged to resign late into his next term if he was re-elected, and hand over office to his government's Treasurer [[Peter Costello]].  In practice, the choice of successor would be made by a vote of all the Liberal Party's MPs.

Howard tried to win a fifth term in office at the federal election held on 24 November 2007.  He had pledged to resign late into his next term if he was re-elected, and hand over office to his government's Treasurer [[Peter Costello]].  In practice, the choice of successor would be made by a vote of all the Liberal Party's MPs.

As well as losing the election to the ALP, Howard has also come under pressure in his own parliamentary electorate where former [[ABC]] journalist Maxine McKew is standing against him for the ALP. Counting is still continuing, with Howard now in serious danger of losing his electorate - he would be only the second Prime Minister (after Stanley Bruce) in history to lose his seat. Counting so far has detected a swing of around 5.2% against him.

As well as losing the election to the ALP, Howard also lost in his own parliamentary electorate in a very close result against former [[ABC]] journalist Maxine McKew who stood against him for the ALP. This made him only the second Prime Minister in history (after [[Stanley Bruce]]) to lose his seat.

== Sources ==

== Sources ==