Iain Duncan Smith

British politician, up for election in mid-September 2001 against Kenneth Clarke (b. 7/02/1940). Duncan Smith is one of four contenders in the Conservative Party. Educated at HMS Conway, a school for sons of military personnel, he then had a spell in Italy as a language student, then Sandhurst. He became publishing director of Jane’s Information Group, 1989-92, Director of Bellwinch 1988-89 and of GEC/Marconi, 1981-88. He was a Scots Guard Officer between 1975 and 1981 and a Member of Parliament for Chingford & Woodford Green, 1992 and again in May 1997. In September 2001, he was elected Leader of the Conservative Party in a ballot of all party members. In that month, he was also appointed a Privy Councilor. The youngest of four children and son of a businessman who served in WW II as a pilot and a former ballet dancer mother, Duncan Smith is married with four children; his wife Elizabeth is a secretary. Duncan Smith's beliefs make him a natural political heir to the Thatcher legacy. But his vision for Britain's future may be perceived as too right wing for him to appeal to enough of the general public to take the Tories back to Downing Street. With impeccable political credentials, his stature steadily increased over the years. As a former member of the Scots Guards, he saw active service in Northern Ireland. A firm believer in the free market, he is a member of the Thatcherite No Turning Back Group and an active Christian. He joined the Tory Party in 1981. He fiercely opposed any moves toward a European army and believes the UK should back American plans for a National Missile Defense system. He stands for capital punishment and is against gays in the military and women fighting on the front line. However he advocates tolerance of "different adult lifestyles." Link to Wikipedia biography