Angela C. Smith

Angela Christine Smith
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	6,723 (14.3%)
Personal details
Born	(1961-08-16) 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

Early life and career before parliament

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]

Parliamentary career

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 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 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.^[6]

The Sheffield Hillsborough seat was abolished at the 2010 election, but Smith became MP for the newly created Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency.

After a spell as opposition Whip, Smith was promoted to the front bench as the Shadow Deputy Leader of the House in October 2010.^[7]

Smith was voted Constituency MP of the year 2011-12, voted for by fellow MPs, honouring her campaign against the axing of an £80 million loan to Sheffield Forgemasters. She followed this up by being awarded the League Against Cruel Sports' Parliamentarian of the Year in 2013 for her efforts against the trial badger cull, in which she worked with campaigner Brian May, as well as recognition for her wider campaign in protecting animals from cruelty.^[8]

Expenses Scandal

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.^[9] 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.”

The Telegraph later alleged that Angela Smith was amongst MPs to have edited their own Wikipedia article to remove references to the expense scandal.^[10]

Vote to Bomb Syria

Angela Smith was one of 66 Labour MPs to vote, with the Conservative government, in favour of airstrikes in Syria.^[11]

Personal life and family

In 2005 Smith married Steve Wilson, a former Sheffield City Councillor, whom she now employs as a parliamentary aide.^[12] Angela is also a Sheffield Wednesday FC season ticket holder, a Rolling Stones fan, and a keen walker.

References

External links

• Angela Smith's official website
• TheyWorkForYou.com - Angela Smith MP
• Guardian biography
• Voting record at the Public Whip
• BBC Politics page