Rebecca Jane Smith (Born 1981) is a British Conservative Party politician who has served as Member of Parliament for South West Devon since 2024. She previously served as a councillor on Plymouth City Council from 2018 until 2026, representing the Plymstock Radford ward. She currently sits as an Senior Opposition Whip and a Shadow Education Minister.
MP and Councillor
Rebecca was elected as a Plymouth City Council councillor in 2018, before standing down in 2026.
Smith was elected MP for South West Devon in the 2024 general election, succeeding retiring Conservative MP Sir Gary Streeter. She won with 17,916 votes and a majority of 2,112 over Labour's Sarah Allen. South West Devon includes parts of Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon.
Smith previously on the Renters' Rights Bill and Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Public Bill Committees. She has sat on the Transport Select Committee since October 2024, where she has raised concerns about rail services in her constituency, including pushing for CrossCountry trains to stop at Ivybridge. In parliamentary debates, Smith has spoken on local government reorganisation, highlighting fiscal risks for councils like South Hams and Plymouth.
Smith was appointed a Junior Opposition Whip in November 2024, before being promoted to a Senior Opposition Whip in August 2026 by leader Kemi Badenoch.
Smith has been vocal on social issues. In November 2024, she voted against legalising assisted dying. In June 2025, she opposed amendments to decriminalise abortion up to birth.
At the 2026 Plymouth City Council election on 7 May 2026, she stood down an councillor.