Iain Smith (born 1 May 1960) is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for North East Fife.

Education

Iain was educated at Bell Baxter High School in Cupar, Fife before reading Politics and Economics at Newcastle University.

Early career

Prior to entering Parliament, Iain worked for Northumberland County Council, managed an Advice Centre in Dundee and was Constituency Assistant to North East Fife MP, Menzies Campbell. Simultaneously, he was a Councillor and Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Fife Council 1986 to 1999.

Holyrood

Iain was elected to the first Scottish Parliament in May 1999 to represent his home constituency of North East Fife and was appointed as Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Business in the government of First Minister Donald Dewar. A post he held until Donald Dewar’s death the following year.

He convened the Parliament’s Procedures Committee from 2003 until 2005 when he was elected Convener of the Education Committee, a position he held until the 2007 Election.

After the election Iain was appointed Scottish Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Europe, External Affairs and Culture and was elected by his colleges to Chair of the Scottish Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party. In September 2008 he became Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s influential Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee.

Since 2001 he has represented the Scottish Parliament as a member of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body.

Personal life

For the past eight years, Iain has lived with his partner in Ladybank. He has a broad interest in sports, particularly cricket and football. He likes to travel widely and has a keen interest in culture.

References

• Iain Smith MSP official site
• Iain Smith MSP official biography at the Scottish Parliament website
• Iain Smith MSP profile at the site of Scottish Liberal Democrats