William Straker

William Straker CBE (13 July 1855 – 31 December 1941) was a British trade unionist.

Born in Snitter, Straker moved to Widdrington at an early age and began working at the local colliery.

He became active in the Northumberland Miners' Association and was elected to its executive in 1882, then became its Corresponding Secretary in 1905.

In 1914 he was chosen to be the Labour Party candidate at Wansbeck to run against the sitting Liberal MP Charles Fenwick, who was a leader of the Northumberland Miners' Association.

However, the outbreak of war postponed the election and Straker was later replaced as candidate.