Alistair Carns

Colonel Alistair Scott Carns, (born c.  1981) is a British Labour Party politician and former Royal Marines officer, who has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham Selly Oak since 2024.

Early life and education
Carns was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Military service
Carns joined the Royal Marines in the other ranks. He was commissioned as an officer on 4 September 2002, and appointed to the trained strength on 29 September 2003. He was promoted to major on 1 October 2010, to lieutenant colonel on 30 June 2016, and to colonel on 26 July 2021. He left the Royal Marines after 24 years of service in May 2024 to stand for election to the House of Commons.

Carns was mentioned in despatches "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1st October 2006 to 31st March 2007". 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". In the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

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. On 9 July 2024, he was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Veterans) in the Ministry of Defence.