Paul Flynn

The sad death of Labour’s veteran Welsh MP Paul Flynn was announced on Sunday by his local party. Flynn had last year announced his intention to retire from Parliament after a worsening of the chronic rheumatoid arthritis he suffered.

Typically of his ethos of genuine public service, when he announced his impending retirement he said he planned to hang on for a few more months in case another snap general election was called, as he wanted to save taxpayers the cost of an additional by-election if possible.

Flynn, a fluent Welsh speaker, was famously outspoken and a fearless campaigner. He also, in the wake of the 2016 ‘chicken coup’ and in spite of health issues, served in two shadow ministerial posts – Shadow Welsh Secretary and Shadow Leader of the House – to fill gaps left by those resigning to try to force Jeremy Corbyn’s resignation.

When later asked to stand aside from his front-bench posts, he refused to complain in spite of wanting to continue – instead stating that:

Some people are aggrieved with the reshuffle. I am not ecstatic but I will remain silent on the irritating details to avoid setting another hare running.

An example rarely seen and a man who will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife Samantha and his two children.

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