Thomas Daniel Smith (May 11, 1915 - July 27, 1993) was a British politician who was Leader of Newcastle upon Tyne City Council from 1960 to 1965 and a prominent figure in the Labour Party in the north-east of England, such that he was nicknamed 'Mr. Newcastle'. While leading the redevelopment of his city, Smith formed business links with architect John Poulson which led to his trial for accepting bribes in April 1974, at which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment. He starred in a film of his life released in 1987.

Early life

Smith was born in Wallsend, the son of a miner. Both his parents held strong left-wing views and Smith adopted them. He was unemployed during the 1930s but founded his own painting and decorating business in 1937 which was known for being somewhat economical (its local nickname was 'One-Coat Smith'). During World War II, Smith registered as a conscientious objector and was initially active in opposing the war and organising strikes against it; he supported the war after the German invasion of the Soviet Union.

During the war Smith joined several left-wing organisations including the Independent Labour Party and the Revolutionary Communist Party, but by 1945 he was a member of the Labour Party. In 1950 he was elected to Newcastle City Council as a Labour member, and became Chairman of the Labour Group in 1953. It was at this stage that he adopted his unusual formulation of name, after an embarrassing incident at Newcastle Airport when he was confused with another Dan Smith.

Takes charge of Newcastle

When the Labour Party won the 1958 local elections and took control of Newcastle, Smith was appointed Chair of the Housing Committee. His success in launching new housing schemes led to his promotion to be the Leader of the Council in 1960. As Leader he instituted a personality-based leadership, creating an 'inner Cabinet' of his own supporters and excluding all other parties, as well as those Labour members who disagreed with him, from any share of power. Smith had an intimidating physical presence and loud voice which helped him get his way.

Smith believed strongly in the need to clear Newcastle of slum housing and put a great deal of effort into regeneration plans, such that the city was nicknamed (at his suggestion) "The Brasilia of the North". He also pumped money into local arts institutions. However, Smith's personal desire to make money began to get linked with his political desires. Already it had been spotted that Smith's painting and decorating firm received more than half of the contracts for council housing. In 1962 he established a public relations firm to support redevelopment of other urban centres in the north-east, and later nationwide. This company formed links with John Poulson, an architect keen for the business and known for paying those who could supply it.

Political advancement

On the day after the 1964 general election, Smith hired a hotel room in central London to await what he thought a certain phone call to invite him to become a Minister in Harold Wilson's government. However, Wilson had a vague suspicion of Smith, and Smith's alliance with the more moderate side of the Labour Party meant that no such invitation was made. In early 1965, George Brown appointed Smith as Chairman of the Northern Economic Planning Council. Smith was also to serve on the Redcliffe-Maud Commission on local government and the Buchanan Committee on traffic management.

Legal problems

Smith's PR firm was involved with Wandsworth Borough Council in pushing a redevelopment scheme, where its contact was Alderman Sidney Sporle. Sporle fell under police suspicion of corruption in the late 1960s and an inquiry led to Smith being charged with bribery in January 1970. Although acquitted at trial in July 1971, Smith was forced to resign all his political offices. Subsequently, Poulson's 1972 bankruptcy hearings disclosed extensive bribery and in October 1973 Smith was again arrested on corruption charges. He pleaded guilty in 1974 and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment.

On release in 1977 Smith attempted to rebuilt a political career, but was refused readmission to the Labour Party. He worked for the Howard League for Penal Reform and campaigned for the rights of released prisoners. In 1987 (the year he was finally readmitted to the Labour Party), Smith starred in a drama-documentary (http://www.amber-online.com/html/t_dan_smith.html) about his story and the regeneration of Newcastle.

Smith is regarded with mixed emotions by the people of the City he ran. While he was involved in extensive corruption, his desire to improve life for the working-class people was undeniable and he did much to improve housing conditions.