After Al Carns’ resignation as armed forces minister made headlines around the world, there has been significant chatter suggesting that the Birmingham Selly Oak MP could be the antidote to the Labour Party’s woes.  

All political eyes have been on the Mancunian constituency of Makerfield in recent weeks, as Andy Burnham is almost certainly set to enter a leadership contest with Sir Keir Starmer if he wins a seat as MP. However, recent events may mean Burnham has more competition than he originally anticipated.  

Perhaps what people find refreshing about Carns is the fact that his journey into politics was somewhat different. Brought up on an Aberdeen estate by a single mother, he entered the Royal Marines aged 19 and proceeded to have a 24-year military career – and a highly successful one at that. In 2011, he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry displayed in Afghanistan. A year ago, he climbed Everest and raised £1 million for military charities.  

Carns went straight from the military into politics, getting elected as Selly Oak MP during the 2024 general election. He was quickly promoted to veterans minister and then to minister for the armed forces in September.  

Last week, Carns made international headlines for quitting Starmer’s government just hours after the resignation of his boss, John Healey, as defence secretary. Carns accused the prime minster of not spending enough money on defence and spending on the wrong weapons. The day after he resigned, he called on the Prime Minister to make “bold and courageous” decisions to fund defence.  

“Older people who did their politics in opposition need to stand out of the way.”

Labour insiders have described his long military service and larger-than-life personality as “Reform Kryptonite” and are confident that he will be popular with voters.  

One Labour MP disclosed: “Older people who did their politics in opposition need to stand out of the way. There is a lot of chatter around about putting up a ’24 candidate. Perhaps Al is the guy.” 

However, another MP said: “You need 81 backers. Al doesn’t have 81” 

Fellow veteran and friend of Carns, Kevin Godlington, said: “Al is a born leader… He won’t run away from a gunfight.” 

However, in an interview with the BBC he addressed his future ambitions directly. Carns said: “People get confused about ambition and service. My whole career has been put to service. If I wanted to be ambitious, I wouldn’t have got into politics. If I wanted to make more money, I wouldn’t have got into politics.”

He added: “I left the military not because my career was faltering, but because I decided I wanted to make change, because I think we’re at a pivotal moment in the history of the United Kingdom. So, this is about service to me. I’ve been really clear. I haven’t even received my P45 from the last job yet and we’ll see what happens in the future.” 

“Despite Burnham’s growing popularity in the party, ex-commando Carns has emerged as Labour’s plan B.”

He has also outlined that he is more interested in sparking policy debate than becoming prime minister.  Carns explained: “If we get that policy debate wrong, we are not going to win in two-and-a-half years’ time. And we’re going to hand the country to a potentially far-right party that will split the nation apart.” 

“Perhaps a militarily experienced leader who would prioritise defence is the best option for Britain in the current geopolitical climate”

With the hotly anticipated Makerfield by-election this Thursday, the ball is still in play for the future of the Labour leadership. Despite Burnham’s growing popularity in the party, ex-commando Carns has emerged as Labour’s plan B.  Al Carns’ unconventional route into politics could be just what the government and the nation need. The world has changed since our last general election, and our defence needs have changed with it. Perhaps a militarily experienced leader who would prioritise defence, and potentially make the difficult calls about what that means for other areas of public spending, is the best option for Britain in the current geopolitical climate. Calls to invest in defence have been heard but too often ignored. However, Carns could present a different leadership strategy, prioritising what, at the end of the day, matters most: national security.