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Thomas Daniel Smith (1915-1993), known as '''T. Dan Smith''', was probably the most significant English regional political figure of the later twentieth century, but his conviction and gaoling for corruption did much to undermine the cause of English regionalism.

Thomas Daniel Smith (1915-1993), known as '''T. Dan Smith''', was probably the most significant English regional political figure of the later twentieth century, but his conviction and gaoling for corruption did much to undermine the cause of English regionalism.

Smith was born in the [[Tyneside]] industrial town of [[Wallsend]], east of [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], the son of a coal miner. He left school early and was apprenticed as a painter in a local shipyard. As a young adult, he increasingly made a name for himself as a political agitator. He was a member of the [[Independent Labour Party]], but simultaneously (and covertly) a member of the Trotskyist [[Revolutionary Communist Party]]. He campaigned against British participation in the [[Second World War]] (he was exempted from service through deafness), while working as an organiser for the ILP and as a painter.

Smith was born in the [[Tyneside]] industrial town of [[Wallsend]], east of [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], the son of a coal miner. He left school early and was apprenticed as a painter in a local shipyard. As a young adult, he increasingly made a name for himself as a political agitator. He was a member of the [[Independent Labour Party]], but simultaneously (and covertly) a member of the Trotskyist Revolutionary Communist Party. He campaigned against British participation in the [[Second World War]] (he was exempted from service through deafness), while working as an organiser for the ILP and as a painter.

Smith was expelled from the ILP in 1945 and left the RCP a year later; in the meantime he had started a painting and decorating business. He subsequently joined the [[Labour Party]], and became a councilor for the working class Walker ward of Newcastle in 1950. When Labour gained control of Newcastle in 1958 he became deputy leader, and, in 1960, leader of the council. Between then and his resignation from the council in 1965, he brought about massive changes to the structure of the city and the organization of its council, for which he has been described as 'the first American-style city boss in Britain'. In association with his protégé, the planner Wilfred Burns,  a major plan was drawn up and partially implemented to rebuild the Victorian centre of Newcastle as a twentieth century 'regional capital'; in the media it was likened to a 'new [[Brasilia]]'. He encouraged the use of arts and education as instruments of urban and economic renewal, and was instrumental in the foundation of the city's polytechnic, now Northumbria University. He also streamlined the organization of the council, creating a cabinet government and appointing senior officers as dynamic as himself.

Smith was expelled from the ILP in 1945 and left the RCP a year later; in the meantime he had started a painting and decorating business. He subsequently joined the [[Labour Party]], and became a councilor for the working class Walker ward of Newcastle in 1950. When Labour gained control of Newcastle in 1958 he became deputy leader, and, in 1960, leader of the council. Between then and his resignation from the council in 1965, he brought about massive changes to the structure of the city and the organization of its council, for which he has been described as 'the first American-style city boss in Britain'. In association with his protégé, the planner Wilfred Burns,  a major plan was drawn up and partially implemented to rebuild the Victorian centre of Newcastle as a twentieth century 'regional capital'; in the media it was likened to a 'new [[Brasilia]]'. He encouraged the use of arts and education as instruments of urban and economic renewal, and was instrumental in the foundation of the city's polytechnic, now Northumbria University. He also streamlined the organization of the council, creating a cabinet government and appointing senior officers as dynamic as himself.

On his release from prison he tried to rebuild a political career but was refused re-entry to the Labour Party (although the party relented towards the end of Smith's life). He therefore devoted his energies to working for [[The Howard League for Prison Reform]] and the pensioners' movement.

On his release from prison he tried to rebuild a political career but was refused re-entry to the Labour Party (although the party relented towards the end of Smith's life). He therefore devoted his energies to working for [[The Howard League for Prison Reform]] and the pensioners' movement.

See also: [[Poulson Affair]]

See also: [[Poulson Affair]], [[Revolutionary Communist Party (UK)]]

[[Category:Political people]]

[[Category:Political people]]

[[Category:Crime]]

[[Category:Crime]]