John Howard mobbed by Liberal supporters at official election party

A buoyant former prime minister John Howard and wife Jeanette were mobbed by Liberal supporters as they arrived at Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s election party. Mr Howard, who actively campaigned for Ms Berejiklian, spent several minutes taking selfies with supporters.

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An hour before Michael Daley conceded defeat the first cheer went up in the ballroom of the Sofitel Wentworth at the Liberal election party as two giant TV screens flashed up early results from the ultra-marginal Sydney western Sydney seat of East Hills, showing a momentary edge to the Liberal incumbent.

Five minutes later came an even louder cheer as ABC reported that its expert Antony Green had called the election for the Coalition.

Wiser heads were urging caution, as East Hills drifted back towards Labor and seats like Coogee, Penrith, Barwon, Lismore and Upper Hunter remained in doubt and Murray seemed a certain loss with a big swing to the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party.

But by 9.15pm the Prime Minister Scott Morrison was on his way and heavy hitters like Nick Greiner were circling the room with grins on their faces.

And at 9.29pm, Michael Daley had conceded and even the pessimists were cheering.

Former Prime Minister John Howard is pictured as he arrives to the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's Liberal Party function at The Sofitel Wentworth. Picture: Rose Brennan

Ubiquitous lobbyist Michael Photios was cockahoop: “I feel almost euphoric relief that a government can actually do stuff and be judged for the big stuff it does, not the small stuff like a stadium. NSW is bigger than a stadium.”

Photios claimed Labor leader Michael Daley would be under pressure after a swing against him in his own back yard of Maroubra.

“The Liberals have had three leaders in 12 years. Labor looks to have three leaders in twelve months”.

Up on the big screen Alan Jones had his revenge: “Thank you for your service Mr Daley,” he said referring to the infamous interview in which Daley said he would sack Jones and the rest of the SCG Trust over their “collusion” with thee government over stadiums.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s sister Rita and Mary (centre) surrounded by extended family. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.

If Berejiklian can manage to win the election and retain even a one-seat majority, she will go down in history as a Liberal hero, the first NSW Liberal premier in almost half a century to win a third term, and the first female Premier to win an election in NSW.

Her glamorous sister Mary in a sequined Sass & Bide jump suit allowed herself the first smile of the night as she sat with her parents and about 20 proud relatives.

In Sydney, Labor copped a primary vote from government that it was four years ago, While the Nationals have let down the Coalition in the bush.

A buoyant former prime minister John Howard and wife Jeanette were mobbed by Liberal supporters as they arrived at Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s election party.

Mr Howard, who actively campaigned for Ms Berejiklian, spent several minutes taking selfies with supporters.

Also at the party are Liberal Party President and former immigration minister Philip Ruddock and federal Senator Jim Molan.

It is understood Ms Berejiklian would like to wait to see if she can be guaranteed of majority government before she claims victory.

Downstairs, Ms Berejiklian’s sister Mary is the talk of the waiting function, arriving in a fully sequined pants suit by Sass and Bide, along with the Premier’s parents who are seated on chairs in the corner of the room.

Prime Minster Scott Morrison arrived just after 9pm and was ushered into a private room where he has joined by Mr Howard.

“It’s been a very pleasing night,” he said.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian's parents Arsha and Krikor. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Outside, about 150 branch members and young Liberals are eating sausage rolls, mini quiches and pies and drinking beer and champagne.

Liberal ministerial hopeful Jonathan O’Dea, member for Davidson, is also in the room, along with Upper House MP Natalie Ward.

Upper house MP Natalie Ward is confident she has been re-elected for her second term.

She was number six on the Liberals Upper House ticket.

“It’s an endorsement of what the Premier has done it’s a repudiation of what Labor has said … it’s clear that people want development for this state,” Ms Ward said.

“The people have said we want progress for this state. It’s an endorsement for what she said. For all the noise of Labor it’s an endorsement of a Premier with an agenda for progress.”