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[[Category:Labour Members of Parliament]]
[[Category:Labour Members of Parliament]]

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
<seo title="Paul Flynn MP - Wikilab" metakeywords="wikilab,campaign,Labour," metadescription="Paul Philip Flynn MP (born 9 February 1935) is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Newport West since the 1987 general election. He was born in Cardiff of Welsh/Irish parentage. In 2016, he briefly served as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons." meta google-site-verification="GEeHhcxoHWZ4EbFBudyILoYe21RElCR1PFdaJs2iiS8"/>
{{Use British English|date=July 2014}}

<div class="column" style="margin 1em; float: left;">
<div style= "margin: 1em;width:22em; border:3px solid #ddd;">

{{Infobox MP
{{Infobox MP
|name = Paul Flynn
|name = Paul Flynn
|honorific-suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}
|honorific-suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}
|image =
|image = Paul flynn.png
|office = [[Shadow Leader of the House of Commons]]
|office = Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
|leader = [[Jeremy Corbyn]]
|leader = [[Jeremy Corbyn]]
|term_start = 4 July 2016
|term_start = 4 July 2016
Line 12: Line 16:
|predecessor = [[Chris Bryant]]
|predecessor = [[Chris Bryant]]
|successor = [[Valerie Vaz]]
|successor = [[Valerie Vaz]]
|office1 = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Wales]]
|office1 = Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
|leader1 = [[Jeremy Corbyn]]
|leader1 = [[Jeremy Corbyn]]
|term_start1 = 3 July 2016
|term_start1 = 3 July 2016
Line 18: Line 22:
|predecessor1 = [[Nia Griffith]]
|predecessor1 = [[Nia Griffith]]
|successor1 = [[Jo Stevens]]
|successor1 = [[Jo Stevens]]
|office2 = [[Member of Parliament (UK)|Member of Parliament]]<br>for [[Newport West (UK Parliament constituency)|Newport West]]
|office2 = Member of Parliament<br>for [[Newport West]]
|term_start2 = 11 June 1987
|term_start2 = 11 June 1987
|term_end2 =
|term_end2 =
|predecessor2 = [[Mark Robinson (Conservative politician)|Mark Robinson]]
|predecessor2 = Mark Robinson
|successor2 =
|successor2 =
|majority2 = 5,658 (13.0%)
|majority2 = 5,658 (13.0%)
|birth_name = Paul Philip Flynn
|birth_name = Paul Philip Flynn
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1935|2|9|df=y}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1935|2|9|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Cardiff]], [[Wales]], [[United Kingdom|UK]]
|birth_place =
|death_date =
|death_date =
|death_place =
|death_place =
|party = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
|party =
|spouse =
|spouse = Anne Harvey {{small|(1962–1984)}}<br>Samantha Cumpstone {{small|(1985–<br>present)}}
|children = 2 {{small|(with Harvey)}}
|children =
|alma_mater = [[Cardiff University]]
|alma_mater =
|website = http://www.paulflynnmp.co.uk/
|website = http://www.paulflynnmp.co.uk/
|1blankname=
|1blankname=Shadowing|1namedata=[[Chris Grayling]]<br/>[[David Lidington]]|1namedata1=[[Alun Cairns]]|1blankname1=Shadowing}}
}}
</div>
</div>


'''Paul Philip Flynn''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|MP}} (born 9 February 1935) is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] [[politician]], who has been the [[Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Newport West (UK Parliament constituency)|Newport West]] since the [[United Kingdom general election, 1987|1987 general election]]. He was born in [[Cardiff]] of [[Wales|Welsh]]/[[Ireland|Irish]] parentage. In 2016, he briefly served as [[Shadow Secretary of State for Wales]] and [[Shadow Leader of the House of Commons]]. Aged 82, he became the oldest MP in over a century to hold a shadow cabinet position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2016-06-30/paul-flynn-makes-comeback-as-shadow-minister-aged-81/|title=Paul Flynn makes comeback as shadow minister aged 81|website=ITV News|date=30 June 2016|access-date=3 July 2016}}</ref>


'''Paul Philip Flynn''' (born 9 February 1935) has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for [[Newport West]] since the 1987 general election. He was born in Cardiff of Welsh/Irish parentage. In 2016, he briefly served as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons. Aged 82, he became the oldest MP in over a century to hold a shadow cabinet position.
==Educational and professional background==
A native of [[Cardiff]], Flynn was educated at the local Catholic grammar school [[St Illtyd's Catholic High School|St Illtyd's College]] and at [[Cardiff University|University College, Cardiff]].

On leaving education in 1955 he worked as a [[chemistry|chemist]] in the [[steel]] industry, where he remained until 1983. After a year as a [[broadcasting|broadcaster]] on [[Gwent Broadcasting|Gwent Community Radio]], he became a researcher for the [[Member of the European Parliament]] [[Llew Smith]] in 1984 and remained as such until his election to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]].


==Political career==
==Political career==
Flynn was a member of the [[Newport City Council|Newport Borough Council]] in 1972–1981 and to the [[Gwent (county)|Gwent County Council]] 1974–1982. He unsuccessfully contested [[Denbigh (UK Parliament constituency)|Denbigh]] at the [[United Kingdom general election, October 1974|October 1974 General Election]] where he was defeated by the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]], [[Geraint Morgan]], by 4,551 votes. He was elected to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] for [[Newport West (UK Parliament constituency)|Newport West]] at the [[United Kingdom general election, 1987|1987 general election]], defeating the Conservative [[Mark Robinson (Conservative politician)|Mark Robinson]], who had unexpectedly won the seat at the [[United Kingdom general election, 1983|1983 election]]. Flynn defeated Robinson by 2,708 votes and has remained the MP since.
Flynn was a member of the Newport Borough Council in 1972–1981 and to the Gwent County Council 1974–1982. He unsuccessfully contested Denbigh at the October 1974 General Election where he was defeated by the Conservative, Geraint Morgan, by 4,551 votes. He was elected to the House of Commons for Newport West at the 1987 general election, defeating the Conservative Mark Robinson, who had unexpectedly won the seat at the 1983 election. Flynn defeated Robinson by 2,708 votes and has remained the MP since.

Flynn joined the [[frontbencher|front bench]] under [[Neil Kinnock]] in 1988 when he became a spokesman on [[Department of Health and Social Security|health and social security]] and for [[Department of Social Security|social security]] in 1989. He resigned from the front bench in 1990 and was on the [[backbencher|back benches]] for 26 years after that until his appointment to [[Jeremy Corbyn]]'s shadow cabinet following a string of resignations. He joined the [[Transport Select Committee]] in 1990 until after the [[United Kingdom general election, 1997|1997 General Election]] when he joined the [[Welsh Affairs Select Committee]] for a year. He was a member of the [[Environmental Audit Select Committee]] in 2003 until the [[United Kingdom general election, 2005|2005 general election]], since when he has been a member of the [[Public Administration Select Committee]].

On 30 June 2016, Flynn stood in on the party's front bench as [[Shadow Leader of the House of Commons]] following [[Chris Bryant]]'s resignation, prior to a permanent replacement being appointed.<ref name=bbc-20160630>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-36672346 |title=Labour MP Paul Flynn claims promotion 'part of diversity project' |publisher=BBC News |date=30 June 2016 |accessdate=30 June 2016}}</ref><ref name=argus-20160630>{{cite news |url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/14589702.Rumours_MP_Paul_Flynn_appointed_shadow_leader_of_the_Commons_are_false/ |title=Rumours MP Paul Flynn appointed shadow leader of the Commons 'not true' |author=Ian Craig |newspaper=The Argus |date=30 June 2016 |accessdate=5 July 2016}}</ref> Believed to be the oldest person to speak from the front benches since [[William Gladstone]] in the 19th century, he joked that his appointment would improve the diversity of a Parliament whose front benches suffered from a "a total absence of octogenerians".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cornock|first1=David|title='Trailblazer' octogenarian back on Commons front bench|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-36675087|accessdate=4 July 2016|publisher=BBC|date=30 June 2016}}</ref> On 3 July 2016, Flynn was appointed [[Shadow Secretary of State for Wales]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/newport-mp-paul-flynn-81-11560587 |author-last=Silk |author-first=Huw |title=Newport MP Paul Flynn, 81, appointed shadow Welsh secretary by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn |publisher=[[Media Wales#WalesOnline|WalesOnline]] |date=3 July 2016 |accessdate=3 July 2016}}</ref> On 6 October 2016, Flynn was replaced as Shadow Wales secretary by [[Jo Stevens]] and as Shadow Leader of the House by [[Valerie Vaz]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-37588143 |title=Labour's new shadow cabinet in full |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=7 October 2016 |accessdate=12 October 2016}}</ref> Flynn said "Our glorious leader, in an act of pioneering diversity, courageously decided to give opportunities for geriatrics on the front bench and this was so successful that he decided to create opportunities for geriatrics on the back bench. I'm double blessed."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/80697/excl-anger-81-year-old-paul-flynn-after-he-was |title=EXCL Anger of 81-year-old Paul Flynn after he was sacked from Shadow Cabinet}}</ref>

Flynn has called for the legalisation of [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]].<ref>David Batty, [https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/may/24/health.immigrationpolicy Labour MPs support medicinal cannabis use], [[The Guardian]], 24 May 2006.</ref> Flynn has been Chairman of the Broadcasting Council for Wales, and member of the South Wales Docks Board and the Council of [[University College, Cardiff]].<ref name=argus-MPs>{{cite web|url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/li/member_of_parliament.in.Newport/ |title=Members Of Parliament in Newport |publisher=South Wales Argus |accessdate=9 September 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719015658/http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/li/member_of_parliament.in.Newport/ |archivedate=19 July 2013 }}</ref>
===Endowment Justice===
Flynn agreed in 2005 to pay out more than £36,000 to settle a libel action brought against him by a complaints handling firm that specialises in [[endowment mortgage]]s. Flynn's solicitor told the High Court that the MP was retracting allegations he had made against Endowment Justice, a company that works on a [[contingency fee]] basis for borrowers who believe they have been mis-sold endowment-linked mortgages. Endowment Justice launched legal proceedings against Flynn after he highlighted the growing number of complaints against handling firms.

The company had previously held talks with Flynn over its concerns about bad practices at several complaints-handling firms, but Flynn subsequently named Endowment Justice in accusations he made about the whole sector. Flynn agreed to pay Endowment Justice's legal costs of £35,450, plus £1,000 in damages, which the company has said it will donate to the NSPCC. He also agreed to publish an apology on his website.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article325801.ece |title=Labour MP Flynn faces £36,000 legal bill after losing libel action|author=David Prosser |work=[[The Independent]]|date=9 November 2005|accessdate=2007-11-22|location=London |archiveurl=http://newportcity.blogspot.com.au/2005/11/paul-flynn-pays-out-36000.html |archivedate=2005-11-13}}</ref>

===Israeli ambassador comments===
In November 2011, Flynn expressed concern that [[Matthew Gould]], the UK's ambassador to Israel, had "proclaimed himself to be a Zionist".<ref>Hansard Public Administration Committee 24/11/2011</ref> [[Martin Bright]], writing in the ''Jewish Chronicle'', reported that when challenged, Flynn said that Gould was vulnerable to accusations "of having Jewish loyalty" and that the position should be given to "someone with roots in the UK". Flynn claimed "there hasn't been a Jewish ambassador to Israel and I think that is a good decision – to avoid the accusation that they have gone native."<ref name="Bright">{{cite news|last=Bright|first=Martin|url=http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/59300/jewish-envoy-not-loyal-uk-says-labour-mp|title=Jewish envoy not loyal to UK, says Labour MP|work=The Jewish Chronicle|date=1 December 2011|accessdate=23 November 2015}}</ref> These comments drew criticism from Middle East Minister [[Alistair Burt]], who stated that "Paul Flynn should take some time to consider his comments, which could easily be misconstrued. There is absolutely no reason why our ambassador to Israel should not be Jewish. Any allegations about Matthew Gould's conduct are utterly unsubstantiated. He is a first-class ambassador."<ref name="Bright"/>

[[Douglas Alexander]], the Shadow Foreign Secretary, also criticized Flynn, stating that "The faith of any British diplomat is irrelevant to their capability to their job. To make suggestions otherwise is wrong and offensive."<ref name="Bright"/> Labour MP [[John Mann (British politician)|John Mann]], who is chair of the All-party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism, stated that Flynn should start preparing for his "retirement" and that "I suggest he starts his retirement with a workers' education course on understanding racism."<ref>{{cite news|last=Lipman|first=Jennifer|url=http://thejc.com/news/uk-news/59309/mp-who-questioned-jewish-envoys-loyalty-should-prepare-retire|title=MP who questioned Jewish envoy's loyalty should 'prepare to retire|work=The Jewish Chronicle|date=1 December 2011}}</ref> Flynn later clarified his comments, saying "There is no reason that anyone of any race or religion should be debarred from public office."<ref>{{cite news|last=Lipman|first=Jennifer|url=http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/59739/mp-sorry-saying-jewish-envoy-disloyal-uk|title=MP sorry for saying Jewish envoy 'disloyal' to UK|work=The Jewish Chronicle|date=7 December 2011}}</ref>

===Philip Hammond comments===
On 18 September 2012, Flynn was [[Suspension from the UK parliament|suspended from the sittings of the House of Commons]] for five days and docked a month's wages, after he accused Defence Secretary [[Philip Hammond]] of lying to Parliament by saying that [[Operation Herrick|military operations in Afghanistan]] were not reduced following [[Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan#"Green-on-blue" attacks hampering handover|attacks on NATO troops]] operating [[NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan|as trainers]], and subsequently refused to withdraw the allegation when instructed to do so by Speaker [[John Bercow]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-19636286 |title=Paul Flynn MP thrown out of Commons for lie accusation |publisher=BBC |date=18 September 2012 |accessdate=25 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/9550853/Paul-Flynn-is-thrown-out-of-Commons-for-calling-Philip-Hammond-a-liar.html |title=Paul Flynn is thrown out of Commons for calling Philip Hammond a 'liar' |author=Rosa Prince |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date=18 September 2012 |accessdate=26 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19632779 |title=Nato curbs Afghan joint patrols over 'insider' attacks |publisher=BBC |date=18 September 2012 |accessdate=25 January 2014}}</ref>

==Personality==
Flynn is a fluent speaker of [[Welsh language|Welsh]], having learned the language as an adult, and comments about issues on Welsh-language TV and radio. Flynn was one of the first MPs to use the internet to communicate with constituents, and in 2000 won the ''New Statesman'' New Media Award for his website<ref name=argus-MPs/> which has been voted the best website of all MPs on many other occasions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcs.org/content/ConWebDoc/15718 |title=British Computer Society Awards Best MP Websites |publisher=British Computer Society |date=8 November 2007 |accessdate=9 September 2013}}</ref> He was an early adopter of ''[[Hansard]]'' CD-ROMs. He has written a book, ''Dragons Led By Poodles'', about the [[Welsh devolution referendum, 1997|devolution campaign in Wales in the 1990s]], in which he was severely critical of some of his fellow MPs.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/447605.stm Dragons and Poodles – a story of Welsh politics] BBC News Wednesday, 15 September 1999</ref>

==Personal life==
He has been twice married, first to Anne Harvey in 1962, with whom he had two children, a son and a daughter; their daughter committed suicide in 1979, aged 15.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1254194/Life-hold-worse-pain--Paul-Flynn-MP-day-lost-beautiful-teenage-daughter.html|title=Life can hold no worse pain... Paul Flynn MP on the day he lost his beautiful teenage daughter|website=Daily Mail|date=27 February 2010|access-date=3 July 2016}}</ref> Paul and Anne Flynn divorced in 1984. The following year, he married Samantha Morgan Cumpstone, by whom he has two children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paulflynnmp.co.uk/contact.html|title=Paul, Who?|website=Paul Flynn MP|access-date=3 July 2016}}</ref>

In 2007, Flynn suffered a [[mini stroke]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/nov/21/politicalnews.uk |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |title=MP recovering after mini-stroke |author=Claire Truscott |date=21 November 2007 |accessdate=22 May 2010}}</ref>

==Publications==
* ''Television in Wales'' by Paul Flynn, 1974
* ''Commons Knowledge: How to Be a Backbencher'' by Paul Flynn, 1997, Seren Books {{ISBN|1-85411-206-6}}
* ''Baglu 'Mlaen (Cyfres Y Cewri)'' by Paul Flynn, 1998, Cyhoeddiadau Mei {{ISBN|0-86074-147-8}}
* ''Dragons Led by Poodles: Inside Story of a New Labour Stitch Up'' by Paul Flynn, 1999, Politico's Publishing {{ISBN|1-902301-24-2}}
* ''The Unusual Suspect'' by Paul Flynn, 2010, Biteback Publishing {{ISBN|978-1-84954-017-9}}
* ''How to be an MP'' by Paul Flynn, 2012, Biteback Publishing {{ISBN|978-1-84954-220-3}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.paulflynnmp.co.uk/ Paul Flynn MP official constituency website]
*[http://paulflynnmp.typepad.com/ Paul Flynn's blog]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140203025440/http://www.welshlabour.org.uk/mps/paul-flynn-mp/ Paul Flynn MP], Welsh Labour Party profile
*{{UK MP links | parliament = paul-flynn/545 | hansard = mr-paul-flynn | hansardcurr = 3266 | guardian = 1760/paul-flynn | publicwhip = Paul_Flynn | theywork = paul_flynn | record = Paul-Flynn/Newport-West/183 | bbc = 25647.stm | journalisted = paul-flynn }}


Flynn joined the front bench under Neil Kinnock in 1988 when he became a spokesman on health and social security and for social security in 1989. He resigned from the front bench in 1990 and was on the back benches for 26 years after that until his appointment to [[Jeremy Corbyn]]'s shadow cabinet. He joined the Transport Select Committee in 1990 until after the 1997 General Election when he joined the Welsh Affairs Select Committee for a year. He was a member of the Environmental Audit Select Committee in 2003 until the 2005 general election, since when he has been a member of the Public Administration Select Committee.
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Member of Parliament]]<br>for [[Newport West (UK Parliament constituency)|Newport West]]|years=[[United Kingdom general election, 1987|1987]]–present}}
{{s-inc}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Shadow Secretary of State for Wales]]|years=2016}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Shadow Leader of the House of Commons]]|years=2016}}
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On 30 June 2016, Flynn stood in on the party's front bench as Shadow Leader of the House of Commons following Chris Bryant's resignation, prior to a permanent replacement being appointed. Believed to be the oldest person to speak from the front benches since William Gladstone in the 19th century, he joked that his appointment would improve the diversity of a Parliament whose front benches suffered from a "a total absence of octogenerians". On 3 July 2016, Flynn was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Wales. On 6 October 2016, Flynn was replaced as Shadow Wales secretary by Jo Stevens and as Shadow Leader of the House by Valerie Vaz. Flynn said "Our glorious leader, in an act of pioneering diversity, courageously decided to give opportunities for geriatrics on the front bench and this was so successful that he decided to create opportunities for geriatrics on the back bench. I'm double blessed."
{{Wales Labour Party MPs}}
{{Authority control}}


Flynn has called for the legalisation of cannabis. Flynn has been Chairman of the Broadcasting Council for Wales, and member of the South Wales Docks Board and the Council of University College, Cardiff.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Flynn, Paul}}
[[Category:1935 births]]
[[Category:Alumni of Cardiff University]]
[[Category:Welsh Labour Party MPs]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Politicians from Cardiff]]
[[Category:Politics of Newport, Wales]]
[[Category:Welsh bloggers]]
[[Category:Welsh people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Welsh republicans]]
[[Category:Welsh socialists]]
[[Category:Welsh-speaking politicians]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1987–92]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1992–97]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1997–2001]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2001–05]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2005–10]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2010–15]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2015–17]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2017–]]

Revision as of 14:47, 16 June 2018



Paul Flynn
MP
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
In office
4 July 2016 – 6 October 2016
Leader Jeremy Corbyn
Preceded by Chris Bryant
Succeeded by Valerie Vaz
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
In office
3 July 2016 – 6 October 2016
Leader Jeremy Corbyn
Preceded by Nia Griffith
Succeeded by Jo Stevens
Member of Parliament
for Newport West
Assumed office
11 June 1987
Preceded by Mark Robinson
Majority 5,658 (13.0%)
Personal details
Born Paul Philip Flynn
(1935-02-09) 9 February 1935 (age 89)
Website http://www.paulflynnmp.co.uk/


Paul Philip Flynn (born 9 February 1935) has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Newport West since the 1987 general election. He was born in Cardiff of Welsh/Irish parentage. In 2016, he briefly served as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons. Aged 82, he became the oldest MP in over a century to hold a shadow cabinet position.

Political career

Flynn was a member of the Newport Borough Council in 1972–1981 and to the Gwent County Council 1974–1982. He unsuccessfully contested Denbigh at the October 1974 General Election where he was defeated by the Conservative, Geraint Morgan, by 4,551 votes. He was elected to the House of Commons for Newport West at the 1987 general election, defeating the Conservative Mark Robinson, who had unexpectedly won the seat at the 1983 election. Flynn defeated Robinson by 2,708 votes and has remained the MP since.

Flynn joined the front bench under Neil Kinnock in 1988 when he became a spokesman on health and social security and for social security in 1989. He resigned from the front bench in 1990 and was on the back benches for 26 years after that until his appointment to Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet. He joined the Transport Select Committee in 1990 until after the 1997 General Election when he joined the Welsh Affairs Select Committee for a year. He was a member of the Environmental Audit Select Committee in 2003 until the 2005 general election, since when he has been a member of the Public Administration Select Committee.

On 30 June 2016, Flynn stood in on the party's front bench as Shadow Leader of the House of Commons following Chris Bryant's resignation, prior to a permanent replacement being appointed. Believed to be the oldest person to speak from the front benches since William Gladstone in the 19th century, he joked that his appointment would improve the diversity of a Parliament whose front benches suffered from a "a total absence of octogenerians". On 3 July 2016, Flynn was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Wales. On 6 October 2016, Flynn was replaced as Shadow Wales secretary by Jo Stevens and as Shadow Leader of the House by Valerie Vaz. Flynn said "Our glorious leader, in an act of pioneering diversity, courageously decided to give opportunities for geriatrics on the front bench and this was so successful that he decided to create opportunities for geriatrics on the back bench. I'm double blessed."

Flynn has called for the legalisation of cannabis. Flynn has been Chairman of the Broadcasting Council for Wales, and member of the South Wales Docks Board and the Council of University College, Cardiff.

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