The Liberal Party had only 6 MPs after the 1970 General Election. The
joke was that they held party meetings in one full taxi. Smith enjoyed
the change after his election when it was said the party now needed two
taxis, and both were full.
He was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1966 Queen's Birthday Honours List and awarded Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 1988 Queen's Honours List for his services to government.