anti-Zionist (but not anti-Jewish) views, and supported the Palestine Liberation Organization. He was of Irish descent, and supported the Irish republican cause, opposing the Prevention of Terrorism Act; however, after visiting Northern Ireland in 1994, he came to support the presence of British troops to protect Catholics from loyalist violence. He also opposed the European Community, opposed New Labour, and opposed the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Flannery was chairman of the left-wing Tribune Group of Labour MPs from 1980 to 1981, but left to form the hard left Campaign Group. In 1982, he was one of 32 Labour MPs to vote against the Falklands War, defying the party whip to abstain. He was the far-left candidate for Chief Whip of the Parliamentary Labour party in 1983, but was beaten convincingly by Michael Cocks. He retired at the 1992 general election. References Other references The Times Guide to the House of Commons 1987 Ex-MP Martin Flannery dies at 88 BBC News Obituary, The Daily Telegraph, 18 October 2006 Obituary, The Independent, 18 October 2006 Obituary, The Times, 19 October 2006 External links Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies UK MPs 1974 UK MPs 1974–1979 UK MPs 1979–1983 UK MPs 1983–1987 UK MPs 1987–1992 Royal Scots soldiers British Army personnel of World War II 1918 births 2006 deaths English people of Irish descent Schoolteachers from Yorkshire Trade unionists from Sheffield English communists Alumni of Sheffield Hallam University People educated at All Saints Catholic High School, Sheffield People from Hillsborough, Sheffield Politicians from Sheffield