| Angela Christine Smith MP | |
|---|---|
| Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 7 October 2011 |
|
| Leader | Ed Miliband |
| Preceded by | Helen Jones |
| Member of Parliament for Penistone and Stocksbridge Sheffield Hillsborough (2005–2010) |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 5 May 2005 |
|
| Preceded by | Helen Jackson |
| Majority | 3,049 (6.6%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 August 1961 Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse(s) | Steven Wilson[1] |
| Children | 1 stepdaughter |
| Alma mater | University of Nottingham |
| Occupation | English lecturer—Dearne Valley College |
| Profession | English Lecturer |
| Website | www.angelasmith-mp.org.uk |
Angela Christine Smith (born 16 August 1961) is a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sheffield Hillsborough from 2005 to 2010, when she was elected to serve the new constituency of Penistone and Stocksbridge
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Smith grew up in Grimsby, where her grandfather had been the Mayor.[2] She went to Waltham Leas Primary School, now The Leas Junior School on Manor Drive in Waltham and Tollbar Secondary School, in New Waltham, Lincolnshire.
She joined the Labour Party at the age of 16 and worked for the NHS for five years, before taking A levels on an evening course. She studied English at the University of Nottingham in September 1987.
She started a PhD at Newnham College, Cambridge and was an English lecturer at Dearne Valley College in Wath upon Dearne from 1994 until 2003.
She was a councillor on Sheffield City Council for 10 years for the Broomhill ward.[2]
At the 2005 general election Smith was elected Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hillsborough.[3] In 2007 she was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary and chief aide to Yvette Cooper.
During her tenure Smith worked to reinstate the former Woodhead Line between Hadfield and Penistone.[4] Mrs Smith is one of 71 MPs who have signed a petition to re-open the transpennine route and she has on more than one occasion headed debates in Westminster on the need for more railway investment in the north. She is one of 98 MPs who voted to attempt to keep keep their expense details secret on the basis of Member Constituent confidentiality, and in order to protect the private addresses of MP's being readily available to the public.[5]
In 2009 Smith was one of the MPs whose expenses were highlighted by The Daily Telegraph during the Parliamentary expenses scandal, as she had submitted expenses claims for four beds for a one bedroom flat in London.[6] In response she advised "The principle of supporting MPs to set up a London base is an important one. You will note from my website that I did not claim for home contents of any kind in 2008-09 and I never will again. I have received support to set up a London base and am grateful for that, but that’s it. Future replacement costs will be borne by myself.” Smith was also noted to have claimed for personal accountancy services provided by the husband of fellow Sheffield MP Meg Munn.[7]
In July 2009 she introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill to the House of Commons which if accepted by government would change the law to give people more legal protection against attacks by dogs. She works with the RSPCA and the Communication Workers Union on the issue.[8]
The Sheffield Hillsborough seat was abolished at the 2010 election, but Smith became MP for the newly created Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency.
In 2005 Smith married Steve Wilson, a former Sheffield City Councillor, whom she now employs as a parliamentary aide.[9] She has one step daughter and a stepson.
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Helen Jackson |
Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hillsborough 2005–2010 |
Constituency abolished |
| New constituency | Member of Parliament for Penistone & Stocksbridge 2010–present |
Incumbent |