Walter Harrison was a real life Labour MP.
Serving in Wakefield from 1964 to his retirement in 1987, he also served as a Government whip from 1966 to 1970, and as deputy Chief Whip from 1974 to 1979. In the Conservative landslide at the 1983 general election, he held his seat with a majority of only 360 votes.
This probably means a Northern accent then! :D