William O'Brien

Sir William O'Brien (born 25 January 1929, Pontefract) otherwise known as Bill O'Brien, is a Labour Party politician and forer Member of Parliament for Normanton. He was named Knight Bachelor in 2010.

Early life
He was previously a miner from 1946–83 and local councillor on Wakefield Council from 1973-83. He stood unsuccessfully for the post of Secretary for the Yorkshire region of the National Union of Mineworkers in 1973, losing to Owen Briscoe from the Yorkshire Left group. He was considered the moderate candidate from the moderate Glasshoughton colliery, whereas Briscoe was a militant from Armthorpe Colliery. He gained a BEd degree from the University of Leeds in 1978.

Parliamentary career
He was returned as member of Parliament for Normanton at the 1983 general election, and re-elected at four further general elections until he retired at the 2005 election.