Al Carns | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces | |
| Assumed office 6 September 2025 | |
| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Luke Pollard |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Veterans and People | |
| In office 9 July 2024 – 6 September 2025 | |
| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Johnny Mercer |
| Succeeded by | Louise Sandher-Jones |
| Member of Parliament forBirmingham Selly Oak | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Steve McCabe |
| Majority | 11,537 (30.1%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Alistair Scott Carns (1980-03-27)27 March 1980 (age 45) Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Political party | Labour |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | Royal Marines |
| Years of service | 1999 – 2024 (Regular) 2024 – present (Reserve) |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Mention in Despatches (2007) Military Cross (2011) Officer of the Order of the British Empire (2022) Distinguished Service Order (2024) |
ColonelAlistair Scott Carns,DSO, OBE, MC (born 27 March 1980) is a BritishLabour Party politician and former regularRoyal Marines officer and a current reserve officer, who has beenMember of Parliament (MP) forBirmingham Selly Oak since 2024.[1]
Carns was born on 27 March 1980 inAberdeen, Scotland.[1][2] He was educated at astate school in the city.[2]
Carns enlisted as aRoyal Marine Commando in 1999.[1][3] He was subsequently commissioned as an officer in September 2002, and appointed to the trained strength as acaptain in September 2003.[4] He was promoted tomajor on 1 October 2010,[5] tolieutenant colonel on 30 June 2016,[6] and tocolonel on 26 July 2021.[7]
Carns wasmentioned in despatches "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1st October 2006 to 31st March 2007".[8] In September 2011, he was awarded theMilitary Cross (MC) "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1st October 2010 to 31st March 2011".[9] In the2022 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointedOfficer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).[10]
Carns was a military adviser to threeDefence Secretaries;Michael Fallon,Gavin Williamson andPenny Mordaunt.[2]
Carns was to be promoted toBrigadier in June 2024, however he resigned his commission in May 2024 in order to stand for theLabour Party in the2024 general election.[11][12]
Carns re-enlisted in theRoyal Marines as areservist in November 2024.[2]
In the2025 New Year Honours, Carns was appointed aCompanion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field during the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024".[13] He received the medal during a ceremony July 2025; his DSO was the first to feature King Charles's cypher.[14]
In the2024 General Election, he was electedMember of Parliament (MP) forBirmingham Selly Oak with 17,371 votes (45.2 %) and a majority of 11,537.[15] On 9 July 2024, he was appointedParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Veterans and People in theMinistry of Defence.[16][17][18] His ministerial post is also simply known as the Minister for Veterans and People.[16]
In September 2025, Carns became the Minister for the Armed Forces.
On 24 July 2024, Carns made hismaiden speech in theHouse of Commons during a debate on education and opportunity.[19]
Carns summitedMount Everest on 21 May 2025, as part of a team of four ex-special forces members triallingthe use of xenon gas to speed upaltitude acclimatisation.[20] He said, "The reality is if I had six to eight weeks to climb Everest, I would, but I’m a government minister and I don’t have time."[21]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forBirmingham Selly Oak 2024–present | Incumbent |
