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David Smith (British Labour politician)

David William Smith[1] is a British politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for North Northumberland since 2024. A member of the Labour Party, he has been the UK's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) since December 2024.

Parliamentary career

In July 2024, Smith voted against an amendment to abolish the two-child benefit cap.[2]

In September, he voted against an amendment condemning the government's proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for Winter Fuel Payments.[3]

Smith confirmed in November that he would vote against Kim Leadbeater MP's private member's bill to legalise assisted dying.[4] He argued that "We were given a 40-page bill three weeks ago, and we've got five hours next Friday to debate it. That's simply not enough time." Further, he argued that "The second reason is principle. That's about the fear of coercion. I've spoken to doctors who've said it's almost impossible to see coercion happening, even from loved ones. The worst thing for me is the pressure people might put on themselves, feeling they're a burden. For those reasons, I'll be voting against it."[5]

In February 2025, Smith called on the Labour government to implement "meaningful tweaks" to their proposed changes to inheritance tax in order to protect British family farms from being financially penalised under the proposed changes.[6] He also signed and supported a petition calling on British supermarkets to adopt a "fairer deal" for British farmers. He said that "Supermarkets are claiming to support UK farmers, but their actions suggest otherwise. Farmers and growers play a vital role in securing the UK’s food sustainability, but they aren’t receiving a fair deal from the supermarkets, whose punitive and misleading practices have been going on for years without challenge."[7]

Personal life

David Smith grew up in the west of Scotland but has lived in Sunderland since 2007.[8] He studied for degrees at both Glasgow University and University College Dublin.[9]

Smth is a practising and professing Christian and previously worked at the Bible Society and Tearfund.[10][11] Prior to the 2024 General Election, he led a housing charity in Gateshead run by the Oasis Charitable Trust.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Members Sworn". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Vol. 752. Parliament of the United Kingdom: House of Commons. 10 July 2024.
  2. ^ Randall, Emilia (23 July 2024). "How your MP voted on proposal to scrap two-child benefit cap". The i Paper. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  3. ^ "How every MP voted on winter fuel allowance cuts". Politics.co.uk. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Northumberland MP to vote against assisted dying bill". BBC News. 24 November 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  5. ^ "Northumberland MP to vote against assisted dying bill". BBC News. 24 November 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  6. ^ Durrant, Will (11 February 2025). "Labour backbenchers call for 'meaningful tweaks' to farm inheritance tax plan". The Independent. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  7. ^ Robinson, James (3 February 2025). "North Northumberland MP urges supermarkets to adopt 'fairer' deal for farmers". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  8. ^ Robinson, James (21 May 2024). "Labour Party confirms final Northumberland candidate for election". Hexham Courant. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  9. ^ Whitfield, Graeme (5 July 2024). "Who is David Smith? Meet the new MP for North Northumberland". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  10. ^ a b Rouch, Abigail Frymann (17 December 2012). "New UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief announced". Church Times. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  11. ^ Farron, Tim (15 October 2024). "David Smith: The first-ever Labour MP for North Northumberland". Premier. Retrieved 21 February 2025.