by his local association — newport west labour — which said "paul is a hero to many of us in the newport labour family and we mourn for his family's loss." paul flynn was first elected as mp for newport west in 1987. he was one of the longest—serving welsh mps and was a strong campaigner against the iraq war and for the medicinal use of cannabis. he announced in october that he had planned to step down because of failing health. the mp for cardiff central jo stevens has paid tribute to mr flynn, saying, "so very sad to hear that my lovely colleague paul flynn mp has died.