Manly by-election 2017 result
James Griffin has declared victory in the Manly by-election despite a massive swing against the Liberal party.
Manly
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JAMES Griffin has declared victory in the Manly by-election despite a massive swing against the Liberal party.
The former Manly deputy mayor received about 63 per cent of the vote on a two-party preferred basis.
It represents a swing of more than 10 per cent against the Liberal Party’s comfortable win by former Premier Mike Baird two years ago.
Mr Griffin received more than 42 per cent of primary votes, ahead of independent candidate Kathryn Ridge at 22 per cent and Greens candidate Clara Williams Roldan at 18 per cent.
This amounts to a 25 per cent drop in the primary vote for the Liberals.
Former Manly MP and premier Mike Baird introduced Mr Griffin and Premier Gladys Berejiklian to a rock star reception at the Manly Surf Club.
The Liberal Party faithful cheered as they claimed victory, with Ms Berejiklian praising her newest parliamentary colleague.
“Let me assure the men and women of the manly electorate that you will have in James an outstanding local member and in me a Premier that will continue to respect, honour and value what this community does for NSW,” she told Party members.
Speaking to his volunteers, Mr Griffin said: “The result tonight is a reflection of your hard work.
It is the work you have put in over the last three weeks and I will be forever grateful to you for that.
“Three weeks ago I said in this very room that together we could invest in our local school, we could protect our local environment, we could build that tunnel and we could care for the vulnerable in our community ... tomorrow we can begin that work.”
Later, Mr Griffin told the Manly Daily said he was “absolutely thrilled with the outcome”.
“I am so grateful to the people of Manly for giving me the opportunity to serve them. I will not let them down, I will work tirelessly for this community, I will listen to them,” he said.
The 32-year-old said he was not sure how the final numbers would look but said he would work hard to ensure the swing was reversed in two years time.
His predecessor in the seat of Manly, Mr Baird argued that the numbers were similar to his first tilt at the electorate, where he gained 45 per cent of the primary vote
“I am delighted for James, I am also delighted for Manly. I know what an outstanding man he is, he will give everything to Manly,” Mr Baird said.
“When he walks into that chamber I know he will take that privilege and put it to good use,”
Mr Baird also took the opportunity to thank the community he served for 10 years.
“It has been an absolute privilege to serve the people of Manly, and all of you know how much it means ... it is a real privilege to be the member for Manly and that is something I will always cherish,” he told Liberal members.
Independent Kathryn Ridge said the amount of people voting for more progressive policies — such as hers and The Greens — should send a message to the Liberal Party.
“When you look at the progressive vote as a whole the vote was enormous, and I hope the Liberal Party is looking at that very closely and it is informing their policy positions, and who they chose as the candidate.”
She said she had not decided whether or not those would run again in two years time
Earlier candidates wore out their boot leather in a last-ditch attempt to secure votes.
Mr Griffin was supported by former premier and outgoing Manly MP Mike Baird, who was handing out ‘how to vote’ cards for the Liberals at Manly Village Public School.
“It really feels like the future,” Mr Baird the said. .
Later, he was joined by Premier Gladys Berejiklian at Manly West Public School, where she spruiked him, and her government to voters.
Greens candidate Clara Williams Roldan also spent part of her morning encouraging voters at Manly West Public School.
At the 2015 State Election, Mr Baird convincingly won claiming 32,160 primary votes — good for almost 68 per cent.
His nearest contender was Ms Williams Roldan who gained 8103 votes, equating to 17.13 per cent of first preference votes.
In a two party preferred count, Mr Baird gained 74.5 per cent of the vote, putting Manly among the safest seats in NSW.
A swing against the Liberal Party was pre-empted by the Premier yesterday — who is facing her first popularity litmus test three months into the job.
Yesterday she told reporters she was “anxious” to see the results of by-elections in Manly, North Shore and Gosford.
“The average swing — and sometimes it has been higher against governments — is 20 per cent.
In Orange it was even higher than that,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“So I am bracing myself for huge swings against the (Coalition) government.”
But this afternoon, she said feedback at polling booths across the three electorates had been uplifting.
“Today has been extremely positive. People are very happy to see me and talk to me,” she said.
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