[4] In September 2012, Scottish Labour announced that Smyth would step down from the position at the party's conference in the following month.

[5] In October 2013, a Labour/SNP coalition was formed on Dumfries and Galloway Council[6] when Smyth was appointed Chair of the Planning, Housing and Environment Committee.

In 2016, Smyth was elected to the Scottish Parliament, as an additional member representing the South Scotland region.

[9] After the leadership election, Sarwar appointed Smyth as Scottish Labour Spokesperson for Constitution, Europe and External Affairs.

[11] He contested the constituency seat of Dumfriesshire, but was returned to the Scottish Parliament as a regional list member for South Scotland again.