William Sefton, Baron Sefton of Garston

William Henry Sefton, Baron Sefton of Garston (5 August 1915 – 9 September 2001) was a British Labour politician.

Born in a Garston to a working-class family, Sefton was a plumber by trade. He became a trade unionist and joined the Labour Party in 1949. In 1953, he was elected to the Liverpool City Council. He was leader of the Liverpool City Council from 1964 to 1974 and Chairman of the Merseyside County Council from 1974 to 1977.

In 1978, he was made a life peer as Baron Sefton of Garston, of Garston in the County of Merseyside. His acceptance of the title caused surprise, as he was a self-described Marxist. In the House of Lords, he was known for his outspokenness. Famously, in a 1988 debate concerning the Education Reform Bill, Sefton asked Graham Leonard, the Bishop of London, whether the Virgin Birth was to be believed. Baroness Seear moved "that the noble Lord be no longer heard", stopping Sefton's speech.[1]

Sefton was married twice, the first time to Phyllis Kerr in 1940. He died in 2001.

References

  1. ↑ "Lord Sefton of Garston". The Telegraph. 2001-09-14. Retrieved 2015-05-23.
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