Birmingham Selly Oak MP Al Carns is poised to enter the race to become the next Prime Minister, according to sources close to the former Royal Marine and decorated war hero. A source told BirminghamLive that Carns 'isn't afraid of gunfire' and 'if someone fires the starting gun' he will be in the mix, confirming speculation that he intends to be part of the conversation about replacing Keir Starmer, who is reportedly resigned to his fate.
Leadership Contenders
Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting, Ed Miliband, and Andy Burnham are being touted as frontrunners. Carns has been mentioned as a 'dark horse' potential future leader of the Labour Party following an impressive start to his political career, having not put a foot wrong during his two years as a parliamentarian.
Change of Heart
In April, Carns told BirminghamLive he was not interested in destabilising the Prime Minister and felt that talk of a leadership battle was distracting from geopolitical challenges and the cost of living crisis. He stated, 'I think that continuity is the way forward. Stability is what we need, especially economically.' However, the damaging outcome of the local elections in his own constituency and across the country, along with the realisation that a leadership contest is afoot, has brought about a change of heart.
Writing in the New Statesman
Writing in the New Statesman this week, Carns set out how Labour has lost working class voters and needs to regain them. He said, 'What is the point of Labour if it does not represent Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent, Barnsley, Swansea and Aberdeen? What is the point of the Labour Party if it cannot replace despair and frustration with hope, stability and purpose?' He added, 'We do not need more slogans, strategies, press releases or commissions. We need action.'
Local Election Impact
In his Selly Oak constituency, Carns lost multiple supportive Labour councillors as a result of the May 7 local election. In the wards of Billesley, Bournbrook and Selly Park, Bournville and Cotteridge, Druids Heath and Monyhull, Highter's Heath, Stirchley, part of Brandwood and Kings Heath, and a portion of Weoley and Selly Oak, only one Labour councillor remains: Nicky Brennan in Bournville and Cotteridge.
Who is Al Carns?
Al Carns, 46, is a formidable figure. Standing 6'2' with clipped white hair and neatly trimmed beard, the dad towers over most of those around him. His reputation is as a straight-talking Scot, his character forged on an Aberdeen council estate and given shape in the Royal Marines, where he became a leader known for calm and courage. His distinguished military record saw him reach the rank of colonel, and he was expected to keep rising until his sudden swerve into the Labour Party. He has received the Military Cross, making him the most decorated soldier to enter the House of Commons since the Second World War. He has served in every major conflict this country has been engaged in since the turn of the century.
Political Career
Carns has only been a politician for 20 months and has rarely expressed a political view that doesn't perfectly chime with the Labour hierarchy. He was parachuted into the safe Labour seat of Selly Oak for the 2024 General Election, with no previous connections to the seat. It is rumoured that incumbent Steve McCabe was promised a seat in the Lords if he made way for Carns, who had been talent spotted while serving as a military advisor to Conservative ministers. Within days of his election in July 2024, he was announced as veterans minister, and was elevated last year to minister for the Armed Forces. He has also found time to race up and down Everest, breaking a world record by getting from London to the top of the Nepali peak and back in five days.
