T. Dan Smith

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.

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.

Related Topics:
1964 general election - London - Harold Wilson - 1965 - George Brown - Redcliffe-Maud Commission

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