Alistair Carns
British politician and former Royal Marines officer
Colonel Alistair Carns OBE MC MP | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Veterans and People | |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 9 July 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Johnny Mercer |
| Member of Parliament for Birmingham Selly Oak | |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Steve McCabe |
| Majority | 11,537 (30.1%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1979 or 1980 (age 44–45) Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Political party | Labour |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | Royal Marines |
| Commands | c. 2000 – 2024 |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Military Cross (2011) Officer of the Order of the British Empire (2022) |
Colonel Alistair Scott Carns, OBE, MC (born c. 1980) is a British Labour Party politician and former Royal Marines officer, who has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham Selly Oak since 2024.[1]
Early life and education
Carns was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland.[1]
Military service
Carns joined the Royal Marines in the other ranks.[1] He was commissioned as an officer on 4 September 2002, and appointed to the trained strength on 29 September 2003.[2] He was promoted to major on 1 October 2010,[3] to lieutenant colonel on 30 June 2016,[4] and to colonel on 26 July 2021.[5] He left the Royal Marines after 24 years of service in May 2024 to stand for election to the House of Commons.[6][7]
Carns was mentioned 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 the Military Cross (MC) "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1st October 2010 to 31st March 2011".[9] In the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).[10]
Political career
In the 2024 General Election, he was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham Selly Oak with 17,371 votes (45.2 %) and a majority of 11,537.[11] On 9 July 2024, he was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Veterans and People in the Ministry of Defence.[12][13][14]
On 24 July 2024, Carns made his maiden speech in the House of Commons during a debate on education and opportunity.[15]
References
- ^ a b c Sengupta, Kim (26 June 2024). "'We need leadership': The former marine hoping to be a Labour MP". The Independent. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "No. 57447". The London Gazette (Supplement). 26 October 2004. p. 13487.
- ^ "No. 59593". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 November 2010. p. 21039.
- ^ "No. 61662". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 August 2016. p. 16581.
- ^ "No. 63476". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 September 2021. p. 16628.
- ^ Sengupta, Kim (10 July 2024). "'We need leadership': The former marine now a Labour minister". The Independent. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "Recently retired Royal Marine Colonel Alistair Carns appointed Veterans Minister". www.forces.net. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "No. 58396". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 July 2007. p. 10412.
- ^ "No. 59924". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 September 2011. p. 18714.
- ^ "No. 63714". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 June 2022. p. B6.
- ^ "Birmingham Selly Oak – General election results 2024". BBC News. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Alistair Carns MP". GOV.UK. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "Ministerial Appointments: July 2024". GOV.UK. Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ "Minister for Veterans and People – GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
- ^ Al Carns (24 July 2024). "Education and Opportunity". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Vol. 752. United Kingdom: House of Commons. col. 765–768.
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of Parliament for Birmingham Selly Oak 2024–present | Incumbent |
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