In Memory of Diana Smith
It is with great sadness that we share the news our friend Diana Smith passed away on Saturday 11 July.
Diana served the residents of Watling as a Liberal Democrats councillor for the Watling Street ward between 1998 and 2000, and again for Watling between 2007 and 2015. During her time at Medway Council she dedicated herself to public service, sitting on committees including Planning, Health, and Children & Young People, and serving as our opposition spokesperson for five years.
Even after leaving office, her commitment to the community never wavered — she stood for the Liberal Democrats again in 2023, in the newly formed All Saints ward. Her husband, former mayor George Smith, was the first Liberal in 64 years to serve as mayor, and fiercely defended Rochester City Council as good representation for local voices.
"Diana was first and foremost a people person who was well known in her community and will be missed by many people beyond friends and family. She had strong values and worked across party lines to deliver for the residents of Watling. She was widely recognised for her work on children's services, a field she had a lot of experience in prior to entering politics." — John Castle, Chair of Medway Liberal Democrats, reflecting on her character and legacy.
"I remember Diana shared that she was leading her local FOCUS group, passionately listening to residents' views on the proposed merger of Medway Maritime and Darent Valley hospitals — a merger that was eventually struck off. Her passion for engaging with local residents is the kind of local champion Medway Liberal Democrats continue to be today." — Nicholas Chan, Election Officer of Medway Liberal Democrats
Our thoughts are with Diana's family and friends at this sad time.
- Notes -
During Diana's first term in the Watling Street ward, elections took place in 1997 for the newly formed Medway Council, which initially operated as a shadow authority until formally taking over from the two outgoing councils on 1 April 1998.