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British politician and former Royal Marines officer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Alistair Carns | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Veterans and People | |
| Assumed office 9 July 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Johnny Mercer |
| Member of Parliament for Birmingham Selly Oak | |
| 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 | 1999 – 2024 |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Military Cross (2011) Officer of the Order of the British Empire (2022) |
Carns was born on 27 March 1980 in Aberdeen, Scotland.[1][2] He was educated a state school in the city.[2]
In 1999, Carns joined the Royal Marines in the other ranks.[1][3] He was commissioned as an officer on 4 September 2002, and appointed to the trained strength on 29 September 2003.[4] He was promoted to major on 1 October 2010,[5] to lieutenant colonel on 30 June 2016,[6] and to colonel on 26 July 2021.[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]
Carns was a military adviser to three Defence Secretaries; Michael Fallon, Gavin Williamson and Penny Mordant.[2]
Carns was to be promoted to Brigadier in June 2024, however he resigned his commission in May 2024 in order to stand for the Labour Party in the 2024 United Kingdom general election.[11][12]
Carns re-enlisted in the Royal Marines as a reservist in November 2024.[2]
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.[13] On 9 July 2024, he was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Veterans and People in the Ministry of Defence.[14][15][16] His ministerial post is also simply known as the Minister for Veterans and People.[14]
On 24 July 2024, Carns made his maiden speech in the House of Commons during a debate on education and opportunity.[17]
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