Angela Smith, Baroness Smith of Basildon

Parliamentary career

Smith won the Basildon seat at the general election of 1997, a period that saw a large shift towards Labour nationally. During her time in the Commons she took part in constituency casework and national debates on public services and regeneration. She lost her seat at the 2010 general election amid a nationwide swing to the Conservative Party.

Ministerial responsibilities

In government she held ministerial office within the Cabinet Office. As a Minister of State she had responsibilities that included engagement with the voluntary and community sector and policies to reduce social exclusion. Those duties are often described as the Minister for the Third Sector and Minister for Social Exclusion, roles that involve liaison with charities, social enterprises and local partners.

House of Lords and later roles

After being made a life peer she took a seat in the House of Lords where she has sat on the Labour benches and carried out frontbench duties for her party. In the Lords she has continued to speak on matters such as public services, community organisations and social policy, drawing on her ministerial experience and parliamentary background.

Significance and emphasis

• Known for focus on the voluntary sector and community engagement.
• Worked on cross-government approaches to social exclusion and poverty.
• Her career illustrates the trajectory from Commons MP to an appointed peer and frontbench contributor.

Smith's career highlights the interface between elected representation, ministerial office and the appointed revising chamber of the UK Parliament. Her public profile rests on constituency work, support for third-sector organisations and efforts to address social disadvantage. For an outline of ministerial posts in the UK government see the role of a Minister.