Chris Smith, Baron Smith of Finsbury: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Added {{unreferenced}} tag to article. using Friendly
add references, {{fact}} tags and Shadow Health Secretary succession box
Line 1: Line 1:
{{unreferenced|date=September 2008}}
{{refimprove|date=September 2008}}
{{Infobox Politician
{{Infobox Politician
|image=Replace this image male.svg <!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people - see [[WP:NONFREE]] -->
|image=Replace this image male.svg <!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people - see [[WP:NONFREE]] -->
Line 38: Line 38:


==Early life==
==Early life==
Chris Smith was born in [[Barnet]], [[England]] and educated at [[George Watson's College]] in [[Edinburgh]] and [[Pembroke College, Cambridge]], where he gained a [[first class honours degree]] in English and a PhD with a thesis on [[Samuel Taylor Coleridge|Coleridge]] and [[William Wordsworth|Wordsworth]]. He was president of the [[Cambridge Union Society]]. He worked for a housing charity and became a councillor in the [[London Borough of Islington]] before narrowly winning the seat of [[Islington South and Finsbury (UK Parliament constituency)|Islington South & Finsbury]] at the [[United Kingdom general election, 1983|1983 General election]], defeating [[George Cunningham]]. [[George Cunningham|Cunningham]] stood against him a second time at the [[United Kingdom general election, 1987|1987 General election]] when Smith again beat him, although by a very narrow margin.
Chris Smith was born in [[Barnet]], [[England]] and educated at [[George Watson's College]] in [[Edinburgh]] and [[Pembroke College, Cambridge]], where he gained a [[first class honours degree]] in English and a PhD with a thesis on [[Samuel Taylor Coleridge|Coleridge]] and [[William Wordsworth|Wordsworth]]. He was president of the [[Cambridge Union Society]]. He worked for a housing charity and became a councillor in the [[London Borough of Islington]] before narrowly winning the seat of [[Islington South and Finsbury (UK Parliament constituency)|Islington South & Finsbury]] at the [[United Kingdom general election, 1983|1983 General election]], defeating [[George Cunningham]]. [[George Cunningham|Cunningham]] stood against him a second time at the [[United Kingdom general election, 1987|1987 General election]] when Smith again beat him, although by a very narrow margin.{{fact|date=September 2008}}


==Homosexuality==
==Homosexuality==
In 1984 he became Britain's first openly gay MP. There had been several gay MPs before this where their homosexuality had been common knowledge in some circles, including their constituents in some cases but they had not been completely open about it. During a rally in [[Rugby, Warwickshire]] against a possible ban on gay employees by the town council, he began his speech: "Good afternoon, I'm Chris Smith, I'm the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury and I'm gay."[http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,6903,1401969,00.html].
In 1984 he became Britain's first openly gay MP. There had been several gay MPs before this where their homosexuality had been common knowledge in some circles, including their constituents in some cases but they had not been completely open about it. During a rally in [[Rugby, Warwickshire]] against a possible ban on gay employees by the town council, he began his speech: "Good afternoon, I'm Chris Smith, I'm the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury and I'm gay."<ref name="Obs_30Jan05">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2005/jan/30/uk.aids|title=The pioneer who changed gay lives|last=Campbell|first=Dennis|date=30 January 2005|work=[[The Observer]]|publisher=[[Guardian News & Media]]|accessdate=2008-09-28}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
He became an opposition [[whip (politics)|whip]] in 1986, a shadow Treasury minister from 1987 to 1992, and shadowed the environment, heritage, pensions and health portfolios between 1992 and 1997.
He became an opposition [[whip (politics)|whip]] in 1986, a shadow Treasury minister from 1987 to 1992, and shadowed the environment, heritage, pensions and health portfolios between 1992 and 1997.
In 1997 he was appointed to [[Tony Blair]]'s Cabinet as the first [[Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport]]. As a Minister known to have a close connection with the UK arts scene his time at DCMS is generally regarded as a success as many projects funded through the [[National Lottery]] came to fruition. There were controversies most notably his approval during his first week as minister of the appointment of [[Mary Allen]] to the [[Royal Opera House]] in which case a Select Committee report found that he had exceeded his authority and failed in not seeking advice from his Permanent Secretary. In 2000 he managed to secure a tax rebate that enabled many museums to give free admission. He held this position throughout the Labour government's first term, but was sacked and returned to the back benches after the [[United Kingdom general election, 2001|2001 election]], replaced by the up-and-coming [[Tessa Jowell]]. Tony Blair later hinted at his regret at losing Smith's services, particularly his strong relationship with the arts world.
In 1997 he was appointed to [[Tony Blair]]'s Cabinet as the first [[Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport]]. As a Minister known to have a close connection with the UK arts scene his time at DCMS is generally regarded as a success as many projects funded through the [[National Lottery]] came to fruition. There were controversies most notably his approval during his first week as minister of the appointment of [[Mary Allen]] to the [[Royal Opera House]] in which case a Select Committee report found that he had exceeded his authority and failed in not seeking advice from his Permanent Secretary. In 2000 he managed to secure a tax rebate that enabled many museums to give free admission. He held this position throughout the Labour government's first term, but was sacked and returned to the back benches after the [[United Kingdom general election, 2001|2001 election]], replaced by the up-and-coming [[Tessa Jowell]]. Tony Blair later hinted at his regret at losing Smith's services, particularly his strong relationship with the arts world.{{fact|date=September 2008}}


On 30 January 2005 Chris Smith revealed to the ''[[The Sunday Times (UK)|Sunday Times]]'' that he had [[HIV]] and was first diagnosed in 1987. He stated that he had decided to go public following [[Nelson Mandela]]'s announcement of his son's death from [[AIDS]]. ''[[Private Eye]]'', however, maintained that the genuine reason for Smith's decision to go public was taken in light of the fact that ''[[The Mail on Sunday]]'' had contacted him and told him it was preparing a story about his condition.
On 30 January 2005 Chris Smith revealed to the ''[[The Sunday Times (UK)|Sunday Times]]'' that he had [[HIV]] and was first diagnosed in 1987. He stated that he had decided to go public following [[Nelson Mandela]]'s announcement of his son's death from [[AIDS]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4219501.stm|title=Former minister is HIV positive|date=30 January 2005|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-09-28}}</ref> ''[[Private Eye]]'', however, maintained that the genuine reason for Smith's decision to go public was taken in light of the fact that ''[[The Mail on Sunday]]'' had contacted him and told him it was preparing a story about his condition.{{fact|date=September 2008}}


After over 20 years in Parliament, Smith stepped down from the House of Commons at the [[UK general election, 2005|2005 general election]]. It was announced on 30 April 2005 that he was to be created a [[life peer]], and the title was gazetted on 22 June 2005 as '''Baron Smith of Finsbury''', of [[Finsbury]] in the London Borough of Islington. He took up a position as Director of the Clore Leadership Programme, an initiative aimed at helping to train and develop new leaders of Britain's cultural sector. He is also currently a board member of the [[Royal National Theatre]] and Chairman of the [[William Wordsworth|Wordsworth]] Trust. In November 2006, he was appointed as Chairman of The [[Advertising Standards Authority]]. Smith is a keen mountaineer and was the first MP to climb all the 3,000ft "[[Munro]]s" in [[Scotland]]; in 2004 he was elected as the Ramblers' Association [http://www.ramblers.org.uk/news/archive/2004/chrissmithpresidency.html] President. He is a patron of London-based [[HIV]] charity, [[The Food Chain]].
After over 20 years in Parliament, Smith stepped down from the House of Commons at the [[UK general election, 2005|2005 general election]]. It was announced on 30 April 2005 that he was to be created a [[life peer]], and the title was gazetted on 22 June 2005 as '''Baron Smith of Finsbury''', of [[Finsbury]] in the London Borough of Islington.{{fact|date=September 2008}} He took up a position as Director of the Clore Leadership Programme, an initiative aimed at helping to train and develop new leaders of Britain's cultural sector.{{fact|date=September 2008}} He is also currently a board member of the [[Royal National Theatre]] and Chairman of the [[William Wordsworth|Wordsworth]] Trust.{{fact|date=September 2008}} In November 2006, he was appointed as Chairman of The [[Advertising Standards Authority]].{{fact|date=September 2008}} Smith is a keen mountaineer and was the first MP to climb all the 3,000ft "[[Munro]]s" in [[Scotland]];{{fact|date=September 2008}} in April 2004 he was elected as the Ramblers' Association President.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/rambling-tsar-comes-to-the-aid-of-madonna-561168.html|title=Rambling Tsar comes to the aid of Madonna|last=Pyke|first=Nicholas|coauthors=Lacey, Hester|date=25 April 2004|work=[[The Independent on Sunday]]|publisher=[[Independent News & Media]]|accessdate=2008-09-28}}</ref> He is a patron of London-based [[HIV]] charity, [[The Food Chain]].{{fact|date=September 2008}}


On the 8th May 2008 he was announced as the new Chairman of the [[Environment Agency]] and took up the new role in mid July [http://www.contractjournal.com/Articles/2008/05/08/59064/chris-smith-becomes-new-environment-agency-chairman.html]. In an interview with the [[Independent newspaper]] in August he said the UK faced hard choices over which coasts to defend and which to leave to the sea because it would not be possible to save all coastal homes from sea erosion.
On 8 May 2008 he was announced as the new Chairman of the [[Environment Agency]] and took up the new role in mid July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.contractjournal.com/Articles/2008/05/08/59064/chris-smith-becomes-new-environment-agency-chairman.html|title=Chris Smith becomes new Environment Agency chairman|last=Gerrard|first=Neil|date=9 May 2008|work=Contract Journal|publisher=Reed Business Information Limited|accessdate=2008-09-28}}</ref> In an interview with [[The Independent]] in August he said the UK faced hard choices over which coasts to defend and which to leave to the sea because it would not be possible to save all coastal homes from sea erosion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/stark-warning-on-britains-shrinking-coast-900638.html?startindex=40|title=Stark warning on Britain's shrinking coast|last=Morris|first=Nigel|date=18 August 2008|work=[[The Independent]]|publisher=[[Independent News & Media]]|accessdate=2008-09-28}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}


{{start box}}
{{start box}}
Line 65: Line 68:
{{s-ttl|title=[[Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport]]|years= 1997 &ndash; 2001}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport]]|years= 1997 &ndash; 2001}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Tessa Jowell]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Tessa Jowell]]}}
{{succession box | title=[[Shadow Secretary of State for Health]] | before= | after=[[Stephen Dorrell]] | years=1997}}
{{s-gov}}
{{s-gov}}
{{s-bef|before=[[John Harman (British councillor)|Sir John Harman]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[John Harman (British councillor)|Sir John Harman]]}}

Revision as of 00:55, 28 September 2008

The Right Honourable
The Lord Smith
PC
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
In office
3 May 1997 – 8 June 2001
Prime MinisterTony Blair
Preceded byVirginia Bottomley
Succeeded byTessa Jowell
Member of Parliament
for Islington South and Finsbury
In office
9 June 1983 – 11 April 2005
Preceded byGeorge Cunningham
Succeeded byEmily Thornberry
Personal details
Born (1951-07-24) 24 July 1951 (age 72)
Barnet, London, United Kingdom
Political partyLabour
Alma materPembroke College, Cambridge

Christopher Robert "Chris" Smith, Baron Smith of Finsbury PC (born 24 July 1951) is a British Labour Party politician and former Member of Parliament and Cabinet minister. He was the UK's first openly gay MP, coming out in 1984 and, in 2005, the first MP to acknowledge that he is HIV positive.

Early life

Chris Smith was born in Barnet, England and educated at George Watson's College in Edinburgh and Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he gained a first class honours degree in English and a PhD with a thesis on Coleridge and Wordsworth. He was president of the Cambridge Union Society. He worked for a housing charity and became a councillor in the London Borough of Islington before narrowly winning the seat of Islington South & Finsbury at the 1983 General election, defeating George Cunningham. Cunningham stood against him a second time at the 1987 General election when Smith again beat him, although by a very narrow margin.[citation needed]

Homosexuality

In 1984 he became Britain's first openly gay MP. There had been several gay MPs before this where their homosexuality had been common knowledge in some circles, including their constituents in some cases but they had not been completely open about it. During a rally in Rugby, Warwickshire against a possible ban on gay employees by the town council, he began his speech: "Good afternoon, I'm Chris Smith, I'm the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury and I'm gay."[1]

Career

He became an opposition whip in 1986, a shadow Treasury minister from 1987 to 1992, and shadowed the environment, heritage, pensions and health portfolios between 1992 and 1997. In 1997 he was appointed to Tony Blair's Cabinet as the first Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. As a Minister known to have a close connection with the UK arts scene his time at DCMS is generally regarded as a success as many projects funded through the National Lottery came to fruition. There were controversies most notably his approval during his first week as minister of the appointment of Mary Allen to the Royal Opera House in which case a Select Committee report found that he had exceeded his authority and failed in not seeking advice from his Permanent Secretary. In 2000 he managed to secure a tax rebate that enabled many museums to give free admission. He held this position throughout the Labour government's first term, but was sacked and returned to the back benches after the 2001 election, replaced by the up-and-coming Tessa Jowell. Tony Blair later hinted at his regret at losing Smith's services, particularly his strong relationship with the arts world.[citation needed]

On 30 January 2005 Chris Smith revealed to the Sunday Times that he had HIV and was first diagnosed in 1987. He stated that he had decided to go public following Nelson Mandela's announcement of his son's death from AIDS.[2] Private Eye, however, maintained that the genuine reason for Smith's decision to go public was taken in light of the fact that The Mail on Sunday had contacted him and told him it was preparing a story about his condition.[citation needed]

After over 20 years in Parliament, Smith stepped down from the House of Commons at the 2005 general election. It was announced on 30 April 2005 that he was to be created a life peer, and the title was gazetted on 22 June 2005 as Baron Smith of Finsbury, of Finsbury in the London Borough of Islington.[citation needed] He took up a position as Director of the Clore Leadership Programme, an initiative aimed at helping to train and develop new leaders of Britain's cultural sector.[citation needed] He is also currently a board member of the Royal National Theatre and Chairman of the Wordsworth Trust.[citation needed] In November 2006, he was appointed as Chairman of The Advertising Standards Authority.[citation needed] Smith is a keen mountaineer and was the first MP to climb all the 3,000ft "Munros" in Scotland;[citation needed] in April 2004 he was elected as the Ramblers' Association President.[3] He is a patron of London-based HIV charity, The Food Chain.[citation needed]

On 8 May 2008 he was announced as the new Chairman of the Environment Agency and took up the new role in mid July.[4] In an interview with The Independent in August he said the UK faced hard choices over which coasts to defend and which to leave to the sea because it would not be possible to save all coastal homes from sea erosion.[5]

References

  1. ^ Campbell, Dennis (30 January 2005). "The pioneer who changed gay lives". The Observer. Guardian News & Media. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
  2. ^ "Former minister is HIV positive". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 30 January 2005. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
  3. ^ Pyke, Nicholas (25 April 2004). "Rambling Tsar comes to the aid of Madonna". The Independent on Sunday. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 2008-09-28. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Gerrard, Neil (9 May 2008). "Chris Smith becomes new Environment Agency chairman". Contract Journal. Reed Business Information Limited. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
  5. ^ Morris, Nigel (18 August 2008). "Stark warning on Britain's shrinking coast". The Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Islington South and Finsbury
1983 – 2005 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded byas Secretary of State for National Heritage Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
1997 – 2001 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
 Shadow Secretary of State for Health
1997 		Succeeded by
Government offices
Preceded by Chairman of the Environment Agency
2008 – present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chris_Smith,_Baron_Smith_of_Finsbury&oldid=241438122"