Iain Duncan Smith
 Iain Duncan Smith           | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 IDS, one of John Major's 'bastards' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | George Iain Duncan Smith 1954-04-09 Edinburgh, United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | UK | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | University for Foreigners Perugia, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Betsy Fremantle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Member of | Bruges Group, Conservative Friends of Israel, Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Party | Conservative | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Iain Duncan Smith (born 9 April 1954), often referred to by his initials IDS, is a British Conservative Party politician. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions from 2010 to 2016, he was previously the Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2003. He lost a vote of confidence in October 2003 and stepped down eight days later, with Michael Howard taking up the post.
IDS was first elected to House of Commons at the 1992 General Election as the MP for Chingford (replacing Norman Tebbit) – which he represented until the constituency's abolition in 1997. He has represented its successor constituency of Chingford and Woodford Green ever since.[1][2]
On 24 January 2017, IDS responded to that day's ruling by the Supreme Court that the Government must seek the approval of MPs before commencing Brexit, saying:
- “I’m disappointed that they’ve decided to tell Parliament how to run its business. After all there was a vote before in December. They’ve stepped into new territory here where they’ve actually told Parliament not just that they should do something but what they should do.”
His response was immediately challenged by The Secret Barrister, a lawyer who has previously sparred with the former Cabinet member.[3][4]
Contents
Iraq
Iain Duncan Smith supported the launching of a pre-emptive attack on Iraq, prior to the 2003 invasion, because he argued 'It is now time for the prime minister to explain to the British people what he already knows - that Iraq is a clear and growing danger to Britain.'[5]
Personal Wealth
The Liberal/Conservative coalition government of 2010 has been describes as a 'coalition of millionaires' because 23 of its 29 MP's who are entitled to attend Cabinet meetings have assets and investments estimated to be worth more than £1 million. Iain Duncan Smith is one of the 23 millionaires[6]
Affiliations
- Centre for Social Justice - chairman
- Social Justice Scotland - says it is inspired by Iain Duncan Smith's work[7]
Resources
- Chris Blackhurst, The contradictory world of Iain Duncan Smith, Independent, 9 October 2001.
- BBC News, Tory leader's education under scrutiny, BBC News, 19 December 2002, Accessed 13-May-2010
- BBC News, Newsnight reveals inaccuracies in Iain Duncan Smith's CV, BBC Press Office, 19 December 2002, Accessed 13-May-2010
- Andrew Sparrow and Benedict Brogan, Aide's email warning of risk to IDS triggered investigation, Daily Telegraph 13 October 2003, Accessed 13-May-2010
- Paul Lewis, Ministers consider scheme to hand out food vouchers to unemployed, The Guardian, 2-July-2010, Accessed 3-July-2010</ref>
- Melissa Kite, Coalition to tell unemployed to 'get on your bike', The Telegraph, 26-June-2010, Accessed 03-July-2010
- James Meikle and Patrick Wintour, Iain Duncan Smith issues stark benefits system warning, The Guardian, 30-July-2010
An appointment by Iain Duncan Smith
| Appointee | Job | Appointed | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Bercow | Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury | 18 September 2001 | 23 July 2002 |
References
- ↑ Her Majesty’s Government, Number10.gov.uk, accessed 12 May 2010.
- ↑ "Local News", Iain Duncan Smith website, accessed 19 Nov 2009
- ↑ "Iain Duncan Smith is being torn to shreds over his 'false' Brexit ruling comments"
- ↑ "Iain Duncan Smith’s Supreme Court Brexit Ruling Response Rubbished By Secret Barrister"
- ↑ BBC News, Iraq 'growing threat to Britain', BBC News, 1-September-2002
- ↑ Glen Owen, The coalition of millionaires: 23 of the 29 member of the new cabinet are worth more than £1m... and the Lib Dems are just as wealthy as the Tories, The Daily Mail, 23-May-2010, Accessed 03-July-2010
- ↑ Home page, Social Justice Scotland website, accessed 19 Nov 2009
