Career
He was an organiser with the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives. Smith was president of the Norwich Union of Clickers and Roughstuff Cutters in 1893, and when that organisation was merged in the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives in 1894, Smith became the part-time president of the Norwich branch, a position he held until his election as national organiser in 1916. Smith was the first Labour Member of Parliament who was elected for Wellingborough.
He represented the division from 1918 to 1922.
He represented his native city of Norwich in between 1923 and 1924, and again in from 1929 to 1931. In 1924 he was Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries in the First MacDonald ministry.
In the Second MacDonald ministry Smith was Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (1929-1931).
