13 Facts About Llew Smith

Llewellyn Thomas Smith was a British Labour Party politician.

Llew Smith began working at the local colliery at the age of thirteen, and his brother died in a tragic accident while working there.

Llew Smith's father eventually died of cancer and pneumoconiosis, a group of diseases typically associated with mineworkers.

Llew Smith was educated at Coleg Harlech as an adult, referring to himself as a "second chance" student.

Llew Smith was Member of the European Parliament for South Wales East from 1984 to 1994, being re-elected in the 1989 European election.

Llew Smith was a member of the Socialist Campaign Group, and defied various government whips.

Llew Smith opposed the private finance initiative, the creation of nuclear weapons, and Tony Blair's stance on the Iraq War.

Llew Smith became known for his opposition to devolution and the formation of the National Assembly for Wales; in May 1997, Welsh Secretary Ron Davies threatened disciplinary action against Welsh Labour MPs who planned to campaign against a Welsh Assembly in the devolution referendum.

Llew Smith was a specific focus of this move, having various party meetings about his views and being threatened by Davies and his policy adviser with expulsion if he chose to act on them.

In December 2002, Llew Smith made an early announcement that he would be standing down as an MP, so a suitable candidate could be found for the next general election.

Llew Smith opposed this move as it took the choice of representation out of the hands of constituents, and instead suggested that Assembly Member Peter Law would win in the 2005 general election should he go against Jones, calling him a "popular and effective representative".

Twenty party members were expelled for openly supporting Law, but Llew Smith remained within the party due to not openly voicing any support.

Llew Smith died from cancer on 26 May 2021 at the age of 77.