KEVIN RUDD has stirred leadership rumblings by saying on national television last night that the country faced a stark choice at the next election and he would not be silenced from speaking out on myriad issues.

With the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, on leave grieving her dead father, Mr Rudd, in China to attend the World Economic Forum, told the ABC's 7.30 program Ms Gillard could win the next election, but only after he was asked for a third time.

He said the government and the opposition had two contrasting views for the nation's future and ''my job is to make clear that contrast''.

''We've all got a job to get out there and argue the case.''