John Smith
John smith became Labor MP for North Lanark shire in 1970 and sat for that seat until 1983 when it was reorganized as part of Monk lands east. Smith quickly showed himself to be a good debater. He was on the right of the political party and was one of the sixty-nine Labor MPs who defied the whip to vote to support the Conservative government's application to join the European Community in 1971.
In the 1974 Labor government he held junior posts in the Energy Department and in 1976 he was given responsibility for devolution. At the time, North Sea oil and nationalization were high-profile issues in Scottish politics. He entered the Cabinet, at the age of 40, as Trade Secretary in 1978. These few months were to be his only spell in Cabinet.
Labor’s sharp move to the left after 1979 and the exit of a number of his friends to the new Social Democratic Party made this a great period for him and his brand of politics. Although on the political right he was never a factional politician. He was also able to escape from Westminster during the recess by resuming his law practice and hill climbing.
But Smith was eager for adventure. He served for several years in the English army that had been fighting the Netherlands. As Smith became more aware of his accomplishments, he tended to exaggerate. He wrote an account of his early years on the Continent, He is reputed to have defeated, killed and beheaded Turkish commanders in three duels, for which he was knighted by the Transylvanian Prince Sigismund Báthory and given a horse and coat of Arms showing three Turks' heads.
John Smith was very fortune, and sailed around the world with his great voyage. Therefore when he died the world remembered his amazing work and accomplishments. He was denied further opportunities to return to America due to his independent nature and spent the rest of his life writing books until his death in 1631 at age 51. This was very tragic but now we know all the great things he did. Not just for him for us also.
By: Nydermah
