By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths
Photo: The latest Newspoll shows dissatisfaction in Julia Gillard's performance has climbed from 59 to 62 per cent. (ABC News: Jeremy Thompson)
Related Story: Doug Cameron urges PM to ditch spin doctors
One of Kevin Rudd's key supporters has likened the Labor Party's electoral woes to the final moments of the Titanic.
The MP has denied there is any chance of a comeback by the former prime minister, and has attributed recent criticism of Julia Gillard to general "crankiness" within the party.
"It's like the Titanic - we're in the final scenes," the backbencher told ABC News Online.
"Third class has realised the doors are locked and they're not getting out.
"And first class are running around looking for a dress to put on."
The MP told the ABC it was "too late" to consider a return to Mr Rudd.
The speculation has been reignited by the latest round of disastrous polling for Labor showing the Coalition is set for an historic victory.
Earlier today, Mr Rudd stoked the leadership embers by making a rare appearance at the doors of Parliament, where the media wait on sitting days to interview MPs.
He was swamped by reporters and turned to give a quick statement.
"I think it's time everyone, and I mean everyone, just pull their heads in and got on with the business of ensuring that Tony Abbott does not become the next prime minister of the country," he said.
Another of his key supporters, former whip Joel Fitzgibbon, has said there is no way the leadership issue could be revisited.
"We're now 101, 102 days out from an election. We've got to get behind the leader and start selling our policies more effectively," he told Fairfax media.
Yesterday Mr Fitzgibbon mocked the scripted lines that media advisors hand to MPs, claiming he had the "manual" for how to respond to questions about the poor polling.
Labor stalwart Doug Cameron says MPs have the right to speak out on issues and says the Prime Minister should do the same.
"Why should I just take a view that some kid in the media department of some minister or the PMO [Prime Minister's Office] is telling me what I should say? This is nonsense," he said.
Video: Rudd calls on Labor to 'pull their heads in' (ABC News)
And he advised Julia Gillard to "be herself".
"I think the Prime Minister should get rid some of these spin merchants that keep telling her what she's got to do.
"Don't read the nonsense you get every morning to tell you what your spin lines are.
"She is a talented, effective politician but she's just got to be herself - she's got to run the passion.
"I take a view on a range of issues and I take my views to the public," he added.
Yesterday another long-time Labor MP, Laurie Ferguson, who maintains he is a "strong supporter" of the Prime Minister, told her she needed to better engage the electorate on the issue of border protection or "we are dead" in critical western Sydney seats.
Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan has told any MPs talking about internal party difficulties to "put a sock in it" and has rejected conjecture that he is set to lose his Queensland seat of Lilley.
He has also defended the Prime Minister's handling of the asylum seeker debate.
"She has been full bore in trying to put in place a comprehensive response on trying to stem the flow which has now been substantially impacted upon by new push factors elsewhere in the world," he said.
He says Australians are sick of the Labor party talking about its "internals".
"I think it's about time a few people who are out there just put a sock in it to be frank."
"What the Australian public want from us is us to get on with the job."
