Alistair Carns | |
---|---|
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 | 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]
Carns was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland.[1]
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]
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]