With Andy Burnham on his way to a potential prime ministerial coronation, it appears that Al Carns may try to get in the way of his ambition.
The MP for Birmingham Selly Oak has refused to rule out standing against Andy Burnham in the upcoming Labour leadership contest.
Carns recently caused a stir after resigning from his position as armed forces minister over an apparent lack of military funding.
In his resignation speech, Carns said that part of the reason for stepping down was the Government's plan to replace the Conservatives' contentious 2023 Legacy Act, which banned inquests and civil actions against British soldiers.
A former adviser to Tony Blair criticised Carns's comments, accusing him of "disgracefully smearing" victims of the Troubles.
John McTernan, who served in Downing Street from 2005 to 2007, said: "No one who believes that Irish families do not deserve justice should be anywhere near the Labour leadership."
Here’s everything you need to know about the Aberdeen-born MP.
Who is Al Carns?
Born in Heatheryfold, Aberdeen, in 1980, Alistair "Al" Carns went to Walker Dam Primary School before attending Hazlehead Academy.
After his parents' divorce, Carns's mother moved the family to Heatheryfold, an Aberdeen housing estate.
Carns has said that he is "really proud" of being from Heatheryfold and that it keeps him "grounded".
Carns went on to join the Royal Marines in 1999 and rose through the ranks to become a colonel in the special forces.
During his service, he completed five tours of Afghanistan and served in every major conflict involving British forces over the last two decades.
His military career earned him some of the UK's highest honours, including the Military Cross, an OBE and the Distinguished Service Order.
In 2024, he made the decision to leave the military and enter politics. After previously being a Conservative voter, he surprised many by standing as Labour's candidate in Birmingham Selly Oak.
He won the seat comfortably and his rise through Westminster has been rapid. He was immediately appointed minister for veterans and people before being promoted to minister for the Armed Forces in September 2025.
Despite his leadership ambitions, Carns keeps busy outside politics. In 2025, he successfully climbed Mount Everest in under five days as part of a team trialling the use of xenon gas to speed up altitude acclimatisation.
Could Al Carns be the next prime minister?
While the Labour Party appears to have immediately rallied around Burnham as their new leader, some within the party are unhappy at the prospect of an unchallenged leadership race.
Many saw former health secretary Wes Streeting as angling for the top job, but he quickly fell in line behind Burnham after Starmer's resignation.
But on Tuesday, Al Carns refused to rule out a leadership challenge to Burnham.
He told ITV this morning: "What I would say is I'm not ready to make a decision on this in any way, shape or form."
While Burnham remains the firm favourite to become Labour leader, a Carns leadership bid could pose a real challenge to the "King of the North".
Already a prominent figure within the party, his dramatic resignation from government earlier this month thrust him into the national spotlight. Carns quit just hours after defence secretary John Healey stepped down, with both citing a lack of funding for the military.
Carns argued in his resignation letter that the proposed Defence Investment Plan (DIP) was "not built for the threat we face".
As a confident talker and military veteran who has successfully distanced himself from Starmer's doomed government, Carns could pose a real headache for Burnham if he chooses to run.
