Jacqueline Smith: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox officeholder | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
| honorific_prefix = | | honorific_prefix = {{wp|The Right Honourable}} {{wp|Dame}} | ||
| name = Jacqueline Smith | | name = Jacqueline Smith | ||
| native_name = <!--The person's name in their own language, if different.--> | | native_name = <!--The person's name in their own language, if different.--> | ||
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| alt = | | alt = | ||
| caption = | | caption = | ||
| order = | |||
| office = | | office = Leader of the Liberal Democrats | ||
| status = <!--If this is specified, overrides Incumbent.--> | | status = <!--If this is specified, overrides Incumbent.--> | ||
| term_start = | | term_start = 27 August 2020 | ||
| term_end = | | term_end = | ||
| alongside = <!--For two or more people serving in the same position from the same district. (e.g. United States Senators.)--> | | alongside = <!--For two or more people serving in the same position from the same district. (e.g. United States Senators.)--> | ||
| monarch = | | monarch = | ||
| president = | | president = {{wp|Sal Brinton|The Baroness Brinton}}<br/>{{wp|Mark Pack}} | ||
| governor_general = | | governor_general = | ||
| primeminister = | | primeminister = | ||
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| vicepresident = | | vicepresident = | ||
| viceprimeminister = | | viceprimeminister = | ||
| deputy = | | deputy = {{wp|Layla Moran}} | ||
| lieutenant = | | lieutenant = | ||
| vicechair = | | vicechair = | ||
| succeeding = <!--For President-elect or equivalent--> | | succeeding = <!--For President-elect or equivalent--> | ||
| parliamentarygroup = | | parliamentarygroup = | ||
| constituency = | | constituency = {{wp|St Albans (UK Parliament constituency)|St Albans}} | ||
| majority = | | majority = 12,166 (21.1%) | ||
| predecessor = {{wp| | | predecessor = {{wp|Anne Main}} | ||
| successor = | | successor = | ||
| prior_term = | | prior_term = | ||
| order2 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | | order2 = 17th | ||
| | | office2 = Director-General of the BBC | ||
| | | status2 = <!--If this is specified, overrides Incumbent.--> | ||
| | | term_start2 = 10 April 2018 | ||
| | | term_end2 = 8 May 2020 | ||
| | | alongside2 = <!--For two or more people serving in the same position from the same district. (e.g. United States Senators.)--> | ||
| | | monarch2 = | ||
| | | president2 = | ||
| | | governor_general2 = | ||
| | | primeminister2 = | ||
| | | taoiseach2 = | ||
| | | chancellor2 = | ||
| | | governor2 = | ||
| | | chair2 = | ||
| | | vicepresident2 = | ||
| | | viceprimeminister2 = | ||
| | | deputy2 = | ||
| | | lieutenant2 = | ||
| | | vicechair2 = | ||
| | | succeeding2 = <!--For President-elect or equivalent--> | ||
| | | parliamentarygroup2 = | ||
| | | constituency2 = | ||
| | | majority2 = | ||
| | | predecessor2 = {{wp|The Lord Hall of Birkenhead}} | ||
| | | successor2 = {{wp|Tim Davie}} | ||
| | | prior_term2 = | ||
| | | order3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | ||
| | | office3 = Senior Independent Director of the BBC | ||
| | | status3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | ||
| | | term_start3 = 26 March 2014 | ||
| | | term_end3 = 10 April 2018 | ||
| alongside3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| monarch3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| president3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| governor_general3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| primeminister3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| chancellor3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| taoiseach3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| governor3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| chair3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| vicepresident3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| viceprimeminister3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| deputy3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| lieutenant3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| vicechair3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| succeeding3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| predecessor3 = {{wp|Dillon Harvey}} | |||
| successor3 = {{wp|Nicholas Serota}} | |||
| parliamentarygroup3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| constituency3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| majority3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| prior_term3 = <!--Can be repeated up to 16 times by changing the number--> | |||
| office4 = CEO of BBC News | |||
| term_start4 = 5 September 2012 | |||
| term_end4 = 26 March 2014 | |||
| predecessor4 = {{wp|Declan Phillips}} | |||
| successor4 = {{wp|Deborah Turness}} | |||
| pronunciation = | | pronunciation = | ||
| birth_name = Jacqueline Thomas Smith | | birth_name = Jacqueline Thomas Smith | ||
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| citizenship = {{hlist|{{wp|British}}|{{wp|American}}}} | | citizenship = {{hlist|{{wp|British}}|{{wp|American}}}} | ||
| nationality = | | nationality = | ||
| party = | | party = {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}} | ||
| otherparty = <!--For additional political affiliations--> | | otherparty = <!--For additional political affiliations--> | ||
| height = <!-- "X cm", "X m" or "X ft Y in" plus optional reference (conversions are automatic) --> | | height = <!-- "X cm", "X m" or "X ft Y in" plus optional reference (conversions are automatic) --> | ||
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}} | }} | ||
'''Dame Jacqueline "Jackie" Thomas Smith''' <small>{{wp|Order of the British Empire|GBE}} {{wp|Royal Williamite Order|GCWO}} {{wp|Royal Guelphic Order|GCH}}</small> (born 22 June 1983) is a {{wp|British}} | '''Dame Jacqueline "Jackie" Thomas Smith''' <small>{{wp|Order of the British Empire|GBE}} {{wp|Royal Williamite Order|GCWO}} {{wp|Royal Guelphic Order|GCH}}</small> (born 22 June 1983) is a {{wp|British}} broadcaster, journalist, author, and politician currently who has served as {{wp|Leader of the Liberal Democrats}} since 2020. The youngest of two illegitimate children of [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|King Thomas]] and the {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}}, Smith initially spent much of her early years in the {{wp|United States}} under her {{wp|Jaclyn Smith|mother}}'s care before later moving abroad to the {{wp|United Kingdom}} in 2001. In 2010, she graduated with a master's degree in mass communication from the {{wp|University of Oxford}}. | ||
In 2002, Smith began her career as a presenter for ''{{wp|BBC News at One}}'', during which over the course of five years, she became one of the most watched hosts in the {{wp|United Kingdom}}. Then, in 2007, Smith was chosen as the inaugural main presenter for ''{{wp|BBC World News America}}'', covering major {{wp|American}} events including the inauguration of {{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Barack Obama|Obama}}, death of pop star {{wp|Michael Jackson}}, and the {{wp|Deepwater Horizon explosion|''Deepwater Horizon'' explosion}}. In addition to this, she has also presented documentaries on various topics including climate change, global poverty, and human rights abuses on {{wp|Panorama (British TV programme)|''Panorama''}}, ''{{wp|Daily Politics}}'', and ''{{wp|Newsnight}}'', earning much acclaim and several accolades for her often in-depth analysis and pointed delivery style. Moreover, as the lead presenter on ''{{wp|The Jackie Smith Show}}'', Smith gained much acclaim for her interviews with various political and entertainment figures including {{wp|David Cameron}}, {{wp|Angela Merkel}}, {{wp|One Direction}}, and {{wp|Naomi Campbell}}. | In 2002, Smith began her career as a presenter for ''{{wp|BBC News at One}}'', during which over the course of five years, she became one of the most watched hosts in the {{wp|United Kingdom}}. Then, in 2007, Smith was chosen as the inaugural main presenter for ''{{wp|BBC World News America}}'', covering major {{wp|American}} events including the inauguration of {{wp|President of the United States|President}} {{wp|Barack Obama|Obama}}, death of {{wp|American}} pop star {{wp|Michael Jackson}}, and the {{wp|Deepwater Horizon explosion|''Deepwater Horizon'' explosion}}. In addition to this, she has also presented documentaries on various topics including climate change, global poverty, and human rights abuses on {{wp|Panorama (British TV programme)|''Panorama''}}, ''{{wp|Daily Politics}}'', and ''{{wp|Newsnight}}'', earning much acclaim and several accolades for her often in-depth analysis and pointed delivery style. Moreover, as the lead presenter on ''{{wp|The Jackie Smith Show}}'', Smith gained much acclaim for her interviews with various political and entertainment figures including {{wp|David Cameron}}, {{wp|Angela Merkel}}, {{wp|One Direction}}, and {{wp|Naomi Campbell}}. | ||
In September 2012, she was appointed {{wp|CEO}} of {{wp|BBC News}} before a promotion to {{wp|Senior Independent Director}} followed in March 2014 and subsequently to {{wp|Director-General of the BBC}} in April 2018, becoming the first and only woman to ever hold the post, which she held prior to her resignation in | In September 2012, she was appointed {{wp|CEO}} of {{wp|BBC News}} before a promotion to {{wp|Senior Independent Director}} followed in March 2014 and subsequently to {{wp|Director-General of the BBC}} in April 2018, becoming the first and only woman to ever hold the post, which she held prior to her resignation in May 2020. Since departing the {{wp|BBC}}, Smith has served as a part-time consultant and commentator for various {{wp|British}} media outlets, namely ''{{wp|The Guardian}}'', ''{{wp|The Times}}'', and ''{{wp|The Observer}}'', often providing her own liberal and centrist insight. In recent years, Smith has come to personally host a number of travel documentaries produced by herself, including ''Jacqueline Smith: From Coast to Coast'', ''The Northern Journey with Jacqueline Smith'', and ''Rediscovered: Asia and Europe's Past Kings and Queens'', all of which have been met with generally positive reviews by critics. In addition, she is also the author of a number of bestselling books, namely ''A Decade's Worth'', ''MAGA: America's Pandora Box'', ''The Russian Paradox'', and ''Cultures Reconciled''. | ||
In 2015, Smith married fellow {{wp|BBC}} journalist {{wp|Mylo Russell}}, with whom she has two children [[Thomas Russell-Smith|Thomas]] and [[Kelly Russell-Smith|Kelly]]. Through her [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]], Smith is the sister and half-sister respectively of former professional football manager and player [[William Smith]] and the {{wp|United Kingdom}}'s [[Alexandra of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Queen Alexandra]]. Named directly after | Following a distinguished career in the media industry, Smith, a member of the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}} since 2014, made her switch to politics by contesting as a {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat}} in the {{wp|2020 United Kingdom general election}} for the {{wp|St Albans (UK Parliament constituency)|St Albans}} constituency. Upon winning the seat with an impressive 21.1% majority, a poor overall showing from the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}} in the general election, in which their share of seats was almost halved, Smith stood as a candidate for the party leadership following the resignation of incumbent {{wp|Tim Farron}}. In the ensuing {{wp|2020 Liberal Democrats leadership election|leadership election}}, she defeated the deputy leader and former {{wp|Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change}} {{wp|Ed Davey}} by a resounding 60.9% to 39.1%, becoming the first woman to lead the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats}}. A member of the {{wp|Liberal Democrats (UK)|party}}'s centre-left {{wp|Social Liberal Forum}} pressure group, Smith has been a vocal proponent for the nationalisation of railways, regulation of certain economic industries, the introduction of {{wp|proportional representation}}, withdrawal of {{wp|British}} military forces from the {{wp|Middle East}}, and clean energy, particularly {{wp|nuclear energy}}. | ||
In 2015, Smith married fellow {{wp|BBC}} journalist {{wp|Mylo Russell}}, with whom she has two children [[Thomas Russell-Smith|Thomas]] and [[Kelly Russell-Smith|Kelly]]. Through her [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]], Smith is the sister and half-sister respectively of former professional football manager and player [[William Smith]] and the {{wp|United Kingdom}}'s [[Alexandra of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Queen Alexandra]]. Named directly after the actress {{wp|Jaclyn Smith}}, Smith is popularly known as "Little Jackie" by her family and friends in order to distinguish her from her similarly-named mother. | |||
==Early Life== | ==Early Life== |
Revision as of 14:34, 6 January 2024
Jacqueline Smith | |
---|---|
Leader of the Liberal Democrats | |
Assumed office 27 August 2020 | |
President | The Baroness Brinton Mark Pack |
Deputy | Layla Moran |
Preceded by | Anne Main |
Constituency | St Albans |
Majority | 12,166 (21.1%) |
17th Director-General of the BBC | |
In office 10 April 2018 – 8 May 2020 | |
Preceded by | The Lord Hall of Birkenhead |
Succeeded by | Tim Davie |
Senior Independent Director of the BBC | |
In office 26 March 2014 – 10 April 2018 | |
Preceded by | Dillon Harvey |
Succeeded by | Nicholas Serota |
CEO of BBC News | |
In office 5 September 2012 – 26 March 2014 | |
Preceded by | Declan Phillips |
Succeeded by | Deborah Turness |
Personal details | |
Born | Jacqueline Thomas Smith 22 June 1983 Los Angeles, California, United States |
Citizenship | |
Political party | Liberal Democrats |
Spouse | Mylo Russell (m. 2015) |
Children | |
Parents |
|
Alma mater | University of Oxford (M.M.C) |
Profession |
|
Dame Jacqueline "Jackie" Thomas Smith GBE GCWO GCH (born 22 June 1983) is a British broadcaster, journalist, author, and politician currently who has served as Leader of the Liberal Democrats since 2020. The youngest of two illegitimate children of King Thomas and the American actress Jaclyn Smith, Smith initially spent much of her early years in the United States under her mother's care before later moving abroad to the United Kingdom in 2001. In 2010, she graduated with a master's degree in mass communication from the University of Oxford.
In 2002, Smith began her career as a presenter for BBC News at One, during which over the course of five years, she became one of the most watched hosts in the United Kingdom. Then, in 2007, Smith was chosen as the inaugural main presenter for BBC World News America, covering major American events including the inauguration of President Obama, death of American pop star Michael Jackson, and the Deepwater Horizon explosion. In addition to this, she has also presented documentaries on various topics including climate change, global poverty, and human rights abuses on Panorama, Daily Politics, and Newsnight, earning much acclaim and several accolades for her often in-depth analysis and pointed delivery style. Moreover, as the lead presenter on The Jackie Smith Show, Smith gained much acclaim for her interviews with various political and entertainment figures including David Cameron, Angela Merkel, One Direction, and Naomi Campbell.
In September 2012, she was appointed CEO of BBC News before a promotion to Senior Independent Director followed in March 2014 and subsequently to Director-General of the BBC in April 2018, becoming the first and only woman to ever hold the post, which she held prior to her resignation in May 2020. Since departing the BBC, Smith has served as a part-time consultant and commentator for various British media outlets, namely The Guardian, The Times, and The Observer, often providing her own liberal and centrist insight. In recent years, Smith has come to personally host a number of travel documentaries produced by herself, including Jacqueline Smith: From Coast to Coast, The Northern Journey with Jacqueline Smith, and Rediscovered: Asia and Europe's Past Kings and Queens, all of which have been met with generally positive reviews by critics. In addition, she is also the author of a number of bestselling books, namely A Decade's Worth, MAGA: America's Pandora Box, The Russian Paradox, and Cultures Reconciled.
Following a distinguished career in the media industry, Smith, a member of the Liberal Democrats since 2014, made her switch to politics by contesting as a Liberal Democrat in the 2020 United Kingdom general election for the St Albans constituency. Upon winning the seat with an impressive 21.1% majority, a poor overall showing from the Liberal Democrats in the general election, in which their share of seats was almost halved, Smith stood as a candidate for the party leadership following the resignation of incumbent Tim Farron. In the ensuing leadership election, she defeated the deputy leader and former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey by a resounding 60.9% to 39.1%, becoming the first woman to lead the Liberal Democrats. A member of the party's centre-left Social Liberal Forum pressure group, Smith has been a vocal proponent for the nationalisation of railways, regulation of certain economic industries, the introduction of proportional representation, withdrawal of British military forces from the Middle East, and clean energy, particularly nuclear energy.
In 2015, Smith married fellow BBC journalist Mylo Russell, with whom she has two children Thomas and Kelly. Through her father, Smith is the sister and half-sister respectively of former professional football manager and player William Smith and the United Kingdom's Queen Alexandra. Named directly after the actress Jaclyn Smith, Smith is popularly known as "Little Jackie" by her family and friends in order to distinguish her from her similarly-named mother.
Early Life
Adulthood
Personal Life
Much like her older brother, despite being born as the daughter of a monarch, she was never included in the line of succession owing to the fact that she had been born out of wedlock thereby immediately disqualifying her from ever succeeding to the throne.
In a 2017 interview with The Guardian, Smith revealed that despite her passion and deep-seated interest in journalism and to a larger extent global politics, she once reportedly considered a career in professional football after observing her brother's successes and the latter's sheer discipline and commitment to the sport but ultimately chose not to for personal reasons even despite the latter being personally supportive of his little sister embracing the sport as well. Regarding this, she said, "Quite ironically, some of the few things that ultimately kept me away from soccer was the injuries that I could potentially face if anything goes wrong and which are obviously not very fun to deal with. In the end, by following my own guts and passion, as a journalist, I pretty much came the closest to pain or death than either my brother or anyone else in my family which was something that definitely puzzles me even until today".
A dual American-British citizen, Smith currently resides mostly in the United Kingdom with her husband and children but has also spent some time away herself back in her native California. In this, much like her brother, Smith herself gradually adopted a more "British-sounding" accent which helped her swiftly blend in with her coworkers at the London-based British Broadcasting Corporation.
Although considered to be fairly wealthy in her own right, Smith is known more for her personal preference for a more "low-key" life in contrast to that of her older brother, with the former said to own a modest Mini Hatch as well as a Land Rover Freelander. Meanwhile, Smith is also rumoured to have owned a fairly modest estate somewhere within the vicinity of London although this has never been confirmed owing to her strict brand of confidentiality and secrecy in relation to the press.