PATRICK O'FLYNN (1965-2025)

Prominent Brexiteer Patrick O'Flynn has sadly passed away at the age of 59.

O'Flynn became a familiar face in the campaign to leave the EU, initially advancing the cause through his position as the political editor of The Daily Express.  He departed the newspaper in 2014 to pursue his goal through UKIP, becoming Nigel Farage's director of communications.

He was selected as the party's lead candidate for the East of England in the 2014 European elections and consequently served a full five year term.  He endured a fractious relationship with Farage and publicly lashed out after the latter was re-elected party leader in 2015.  In an interview with The Times newspaper, O'Flynn described Farage as 'snarling, thin-skinned and aggressive'.  He later apologised for the remarks.

O'Flynn stuck with UKIP after the Leave vote in 2016, but later became disillusioned with the party's direction and left in 2018, ostensibly in protest at then leader Gerard Batten's decision to appoint Tommy Robinson as an advisor.  Joining the Social Democratic Party, O'Flynn became the party's most senior elected representative as he served out the final year of his term as MEP.  In 2019 he chose not to defend his seat, which was subsequently won by Richard Tice of the Brexit Party.

Since leaving Brussels, he continued to write for publications such as The Spectator and was a regular guest on GB News.

Mr O'Flynn was a native of Cambridge and studied economics and journalism, prior to joining The Daily Express.  He passed away shortly after being diagnosed with liver cancer and is survived by his wife, Carole Ann, and two children.

Nigel Farage paid tribute to his one time political rival, writing on X: "So sad to hear of the passing of Patrick O’Flynn.  Paddy was a great journalist, a great thinker, a great patriot and a titan of our joint cause.  Thank you Paddy."

Boris Johnson also paid tribute: "Sad to hear of the loss of Patrick O’Flynn - a truly original conservative journalist who grasped the causes of much of the current discontent.  His pieces were always punchy and persuasive.  He will be missed."

Kemi Badenoch wrote: "This is dreadful news.  I can’t quite believe it.  My husband and I always enjoyed Patrick’s company.  He often messaged me with thoughts on politics.  We’d agree on substance then argue over tactics.  I teased him about being a secret leftie…but my goodness, he loved this country.  Such sad, sad news to end the day.  May he rest in peace."

Here here.