[8] While in this position, he worked with members like Alex Falconer, Stan Newens, and Alf Lomas to improve the democratic accountability of the parliament.

[2] He opposed the private finance initiative, the creation of nuclear weapons,[7] and Tony Blair's stance on the Iraq War.

[11] Smith was a specific focus of this move, having various party meetings about his views and being threatened by Davies and his policy adviser with expulsion if he chose to act on them.

[16] In December 2002, Smith made an early announcement that he would be standing down as an MP, so a suitable candidate could be found for the next general election.

Smith opposed this move as it took the choice of representation out of the hands of constituents,[17] and instead suggested that Assembly Member Peter Law would win in the 2005 general election should he go against Jones, calling him a "popular and effective representative".

[19] In 2010, an exhibition was put on by Smith and his late wife at Manchester's People's History Museum, entitled Politics, Protest and the Christmas Card.