He was an MP for over 30 years
Paul Flynn, Labour MP for Newport West, has died aged 84, it has been confirmed.
He had reportedly been ill for a while and announced in October that he would be stepping down after a political career spanning 31 years.
Newport West Labour tweeted: “It’s with great sadness that we let you know that our MP, Paul Flynn, has died today.
“Paul is a hero to many of us in the Newport Labour family and we mourn for his family’s loss.
“We would ask that the privacy of Paul’s family is respected at this difficult time.”
It's with great sadness that we let you know that our MP, Paul Flynn, has died today. Paul is a hero to many of us in the Newport Labour family and we mourn for his family's loss. We would ask that the privacy of Paul's family is respected at this difficult time.
— Newport West and Islwyn Labour (@nptwestlab) February 17, 2019
The MP was a long standing opponent to nuclear power and campaigned for the legalisation of cannabis during his career.
He featured in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet at the age of 81, becoming the oldest MP ever to do so.
Flynn also called for Theresa May to offer the population of Britain a second referendum on European Union membership, explaining that “second thoughts are always superior to first thoughts.”
Jeremy Corbyn paid tribute to Flynn on Twitter, writing:
“I’m very sad at the passing of my good friend Paul Flynn. He had such love for Newport, knowledge of radical South Wales history and a dry wit. He was an independent thinker who was a credit to the Labour Party. He will be greatly missed.”
I’m very sad at the passing of my good friend Paul Flynn. He had such love for Newport, knowledge of radical South Wales history and a dry wit. He was an independent thinker who was a credit to the Labour Party. He will be greatly missed.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) February 17, 2019
