Luke 'Ming' Flanagan was born on January 22, 1972, in Roscommon, Ireland. He attended Galway Regional Technical College to study science and later moved to Sligo RTC where he studied mechanical engineering.
Flanagan's educational journey did not lead to graduation, as he dropped out to pursue other interests.
Flanagan began his political career as an independent candidate, first running in the 1997 general election for the Galway West constituency. Although not initially successful, he gained attention for his distinctive campaigning style, which included advocating for the legalization of cannabis.
He served on the Roscommon County Council from 2004 to 2011, after which he was elected as a Teachta Dála (TD) for Roscommon–South Leitrim in the 2011 general election. During his time as a TD, Flanagan was known for his advocacy on social issues, including the legalization of cannabis and opposition to certain austerity measures.
He was also involved in controversies, such as the rescinding of his penalty points and comments made in the Dáil. Notably, he took a voluntary 50% salary reduction to fund local projects instead of returning it to the state.
In 2014, Flanagan was elected as an MEP for the Midlands–North-West constituency. He ran on an anti-European Union platform, expressing a desire to address issues directly at the European level rather than through national institutions.
In Parliament, he is known for his critical stance on EU policies and has been involved in various debates, particularly on environmental issues and rural development.
Flanagan's political career has been marked by his advocacy for the legalization of cannabis, his involvement in grassroots campaigns against water charges, and his stance on issues like turf cutting in protected bogs. His approach to politics is characterized by a direct and often confrontational style, aiming to bring attention to what he sees as the disenfranchisement of ordinary people by traditional political processes.
As an MEP, Flanagan continues to focus on issues relevant to his constituency and broader European concerns. He has maintained a position that challenges conventional EU policies, advocating for more significant reform and transparency in European governance.