Luke 'Ming' Flanagan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Flanagan in 2019
|
|
| Member of the European Parliament | |
| Assumed office 1 July 2014 |
|
| Constituency | Midlands–North-West |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office February 2011 – May 2014 |
|
| Constituency | Roscommon–South Leitrim |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Luke Flanagan
22 January 1972 Roscommon, Ireland |
| Political party |
|
| Other political affiliations |
New Vision (2011) |
| Spouse |
Judith Flanagan
(m. 2002) |
| Children | 3 |
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (born 22 January 1972) is an Irish politician. He has been a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Midlands–North-West area of Ireland since 2014. He is an independent politician. This means he does not belong to a political party. In the European Parliament, he works with a group called The Left.
Before becoming an MEP, Luke Flanagan was a member of Roscommon County Council from 2004 to 2011. He also served as the Mayor of Roscommon from 2010. Later, he became a TD (a member of the Irish Parliament) for Roscommon–South Leitrim. He served in the Irish Parliament for three years. He is known for speaking out on important issues.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Luke Flanagan was born in Roscommon, Ireland, on 22 January 1972. He grew up in Castlerea. His father was a carpenter and his mother was a homemaker.
He studied science at Galway Regional Technical College. After two years, he left that course. He then went on to study mechanical engineering at Sligo RTC.
Political Journey
Starting in Politics
Luke Flanagan began his political journey as an independent candidate. He first ran in the 1997 Irish general election. He was campaigning against his landlord at the time. He received 548 votes in that election.
He also ran in the European Parliament election in 1999. He got about 5,000 votes. In the 2002 general election, he received 779 votes. The media often focused on his unique hairstyle and beard. He styled his beard like 'Ming the Merciless' from the Flash Gordon comic strip. He spoke strongly about social and environmental issues.
Serving Locally
Roscommon County Council (2004–2011)
Luke Flanagan returned to his home area of Castlerea, County Roscommon. He was elected to the Roscommon County Council in 2004. He received the most votes in his area. He was re-elected in 2009, again getting many first-choice votes.
Mayor of County Roscommon (2010–2011)
On 28 June 2010, Luke Flanagan was chosen as the Mayor of Roscommon County Council. As mayor, he decided to take only half of his mayoral pay. He also did not take any money for foreign travel. He encouraged other politicians to do the same.
In December 2010, he suggested cutting his mayoral allowance in half. He also proposed getting rid of many other allowances. This was because of the financial problems the country was facing.
Working in the Irish Parliament (2011–2014)
Luke Flanagan was elected to the Dáil Éireann (the Irish Parliament) in 2011. He represented the Roscommon–South Leitrim area. He was part of a group of independent candidates called New Vision. He received a high number of first-choice votes. This helped him win a seat in the parliament.
After being elected, he kept his promise to take only half of his salary. He gave the rest to local projects. He believed this money should help local communities.
In July 2011, he was involved in a discussion about turf-cutting rights. He strongly supported turf cutters. He attended protests to advocate for their rights. He believes in allowing turf cutting even in protected areas. He has cut turf in Cloonchambers Bog, which is a protected area.
In April 2012, Luke Flanagan encouraged people to vote 'No' in a referendum. This was about the European Fiscal Compact Treaty. He felt Ireland might lose power to larger countries in the European Union. He also thought Ireland should leave the economic and monetary union (EMU), which uses the euro currency.
Becoming a European Parliament Member (2014–Present)
On 21 March 2014, Luke Flanagan announced he would run for the European Parliament. He ran as an independent candidate for the Midlands–North-West area. He said he wanted to have more influence on issues at the European level. He was elected on 26 May 2014.
After becoming an MEP, he decided to take his full salary. He explained that this was a different role with different responsibilities.
In December 2014, a report showed his voting record in the European Parliament. He explained that his wife's illness and his children needing him affected his attendance.
He supported a 'Yes' vote in the Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018. This was a vote on a change to the Irish Constitution.
He was re-elected to the European Parliament in 2019 and again in 2024.
Personal Life
Luke Flanagan is married to Judith Flanagan. They have three daughters together. He has said that he does not believe in God. He also identifies as autistic.
Images for kids
-
Flanagan in 2019
