Born in Audenshaw, Walker was educated at Manchester College of Technology and became a toolmaker.

He served in the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm and was a lecturer for the National Council of Labour Colleges.

When Labour lost the election that year, Walker became the opposition spokesman for employment and training.

Walker left the employment brief in 1983 following that year's general election, and became Chairman of Ways and Means & Deputy Speaker to Bernard Weatherill.

This article about a Labour Party member of Parliament representing an English constituency is a stub.