Lisa Smart is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Hazel Grove since 2024.[1] She previously contested the seat in the 2015, 2017, and 2019 general elections. As of 2024, she is the Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson in the House of Commons.
Political Career
Smart previously served as a councillor on Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, representing Bredbury Green and Romiley from 2016 to 2024. When the Liberal Democrats took control of the council in 2019, she served as Deputy Leader of the Council until 2022.[2]
Smart stood again in 2017 and 2019, eventually gaining the seat in the 2024 General Election.
2024 General Election
One of the 72 Liberal Democrat MPs elected in 2024, Lisa Smart won Hazel Grove from the Conservatives. She was the first Liberal Democrat MP elected there since Andrew Stunnell in 2010.
Historically being held by either the Liberal Democrats or the Conservatives, the 2024 General Election saw the Labour Party come second for the first time in the seat's history.
During the 2024 election campaign, Smart recorded joking that a person with a Liverpool accent who is not from the area was "nicking (stealing) stuff" while canvassing. The comment was criticized for reinforcing derogatory stereotypes about people from Liverpool.[5]
Following her election to the House of Commons, Smart stood down as a Councillor in Stockport in September 2024.[6]
Member of Parliament (2024-)
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey appointed Smart as Home Affairs spokesperson in September 2024[7]
According to her personal website, Smart has worked as a volunteer in her local community, "serving as a trustee for the New Horizons Canal Boat for disabled people and their carers in Marple, working as a volunteer for the Woodley & Romiley Towpath Team, and being a trustee of the Barrack Hill Education Trust."[9]
