Smith, Christopher Robert (Chris) (1951- )

British Labour politician, secretary of state for culture, media, and the arts 1997-2001. He entered the House of Commons in 1983, representing Islington South and Finsbury. He was shadow Treasury minister 1987-92, shadow secretary of state for the environment 1992-94, for national heritage 1994-95, for social security 1995-96, and health 1996-97.

He was born in Hertfordshire and educated at George Watson's College, Edinburgh, Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he was president of the Union in 1972, and Harvard University, where he was a Kennedy Scholar. Having unsuccessfully contested Epsom and Ewell in 1979, he was elected MP for Islington South and Finsbury from 1983. Before that Smith worked in the field of housing: with the Housing Corporation 1976-77, the Shaftesbury Society Housing Association 1977-80, and the Society for Cooperative Dwellings 1980-83. During this time he also served on Islington Borough Council.