Duncan Smith, (G.) Iain (b. 1954). Politician. Heavy election defeats in 1997 and 2001 made for rapid promotion for some Conservative MPs. After seven years in the Scots Guards (1975–81), Duncan Smith moved into industry before election for Chingford as successor to Norman Tebbit in 1992. In 1997 he became opposition spokesman for social security and in 1999 for defence. On the right of the party, he was a strong opponent of further EEC integration. On the resignation of William Hague2001, he defeated Michael Ancram, Kenneth Clarke, David Davis, and Michael Portillo for the Conservative leadership. His time in office was difficult, and in October 2003 he resigned after losing a vote of confidence. His successor was Michael Howard.

J. A. Cannon

Smith, Iain Duncan (1954) British politician, leader of the Conservative Party (2001–2003). Smith was elected as Conservative Member of Parliament for Chingford at the 1992 General Election. A leading Eurosceptic backbencher during the Prime Ministership of John Major, he served as Shadow Secretary of State for Social Security (1997–99) and Shadow Defence Secretary (1999–2001) under William Hague. Smith faced the difficult task of unifying and modernising the Tories after two election defeats.