T. Dan Smith

Who was T. Dan Smith?

Thomas Daniel Smith was a British politician who was Leader of Newcastle City Council from 1960 to 1965. He was a prominent figure in the Labour Party in the north east of England, such that he was nicknamed 'Mr Newcastle'.

Smith sought to clear Newcastle of slum housing and put a great deal of effort into regeneration plans, such that the city was nicknamed "The Brasilia of the North". He also pumped money into local arts institutions. Ironically, many residents of Newcastle felt his 'regeneration' plans 'to clear Newcastle of slum housing' in fact created a West End now dismissed as being an impoverished area. Smith's name is usually spoken in negative terms regarding the destruction of historic and/ or aesthetically pleasing buildings which were replaced with a concrete jungle.

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.