Alistair Carns, a former Royal Marine commando and veterans minister, is being quietly discussed as a potential future Labour leader, despite being a major outside bet. One Conservative MP described him as “one of the most capable individuals on the Labour benches” who “would be an absolute nightmare to face.”
Carns, who served as military adviser to three defence secretaries, was tipped as a future chief of the defence staff before resigning to run as a Labour candidate. He won the safe seat of Birmingham Selly Oak in 2024 and was appointed minister for the armed forces in September 2025, earning praise for his stewardship of defence and Ukraine support.
His emergence as a leadership contender reflects growing impatience among Labour’s 2024 intake, many of whom are less impressed with senior figures having a free pass. One new MP noted that the cohort is diverse, with broader life experience, including those from finance, the NHS, and the armed forces, arguing that “someone like Al Carns” should have a chance.
However, a Labour MP from a previous election questioned Carns’s stance on economic issues, saying, “What is his thinking on the NHS, childcare, or climate?” They suggested his selection reflected a box-ticking approach under former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
A 2024 colleague countered that with Prime Minister Keir Starmer likely to remain until after the May elections, there is time for a newcomer to grow. “Why not Alistair, who has done very well so far, or someone different like Miatta Fahnbulleh?” they said.
