He was the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the North East Fife constituency from 1999 until his defeat at 2011 election by the SNP's Rod Campbell.

Smith was educated at Bell Baxter High School in Cupar, Fife, before reading Politics and Economics at Newcastle University.

Prior to entering Holyrood, Smith worked for Northumberland County Council, managed an Advice Centre in Dundee and was Constituency Assistant to North East Fife MP, Sir Menzies Campbell.

After the election Smith was appointed Scottish Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Europe, External Affairs and Culture and was elected by his colleagues to Chair of the Scottish Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party.

In September 2008 he became Convener of the Scottish Parliament's influential Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee.