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Stars and MPs lead London parties
Kiran Randhawa and Bo Wilson05.11.08
THOUSANDS of Londoners stayed up through the night to witness Barack Obama's momentous victory.
Chants of "yes we did" echoed through the capital as loyal Democrats celebrated.
More than 2,000 attended the election night party at the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square, including key politicians, American expats and celebrities.
Among the guests was actor Josh Hartnett. "I voted for Obama," the 30-year-old declared. "Who else would I vote for? He is the world's candidate."
Other guests included Andrew Lloyd Webber, Pet Shop Boys frontman Neil Tennant. Politicians included Charles Clarke, Ian Paisley, Hazel Blears, Alistair Campbell, Margaret Beckett, Lord Levy, David Davis, Ruth Kelly and Lembit Opik.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said: "We all knew he was going to win. He is a good guy and it's great news for the rest of the world. Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke said: "I'm very excited. Obama winning the election will transform the relationship between America and the rest of the world."
Chairman of Democrats Abroad UK, Bill Barnard said: "It's over. We've won it. We are absolutely exhilarated. After eight years of a Bush administration, we needed to see a change. We have waited a long time for this moment."
Hundreds more packed bars across the capital to watch live coverage of the race into the early hours. There were 200 guests at The American Bar, Stafford Hotel, Westminster, 300 at the Chicago Rib House, Knightsbridgeand 800 turned out at Yates's Wine Lodge, Leicester Square.
Reader views (6)
I would like to apologize to the world community for America's arrogance and intransigence over the last eight years. With the election of President-elect Obama I'm hopeful we will move away from the disastrous policies of the Bush Administration and rejoin the community of nations to work together toward a brighter future: end the Iraq war, take religion out of government, renounce torture, close Guantanamo Bay, find a solution to global warming, cease saber-rattling over Iran, end tax cuts for the wealthiest, the list goes on and on. If we can find money to kill people, we certainly can find money to help people. The America which elected Obama seeks to live in a world of "we" not "me."
- Chris, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
They should have asked Neil for his opinion on the U.S. Election result! Would have been a worthy bit of information.
- Alfina Hawaii, Aloha State, USA
It must be nice to rub shoulders with such famous people -I only wish I could but I would never know how to behave.
- Jasmine Wok, sloane square, london
"He is the world's candidate"?
Hello, what planet are we on.
- Frank, Home Counties, England
That must have been a crush at the Stafford. The bar is just about big enough to take a couple of Texans and their brides.
- John Problem, Hackney Wick, London, UK
800 at Yates Wine Lodge - classy bunch!
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
