Story perspectives

Ex-Marine Al Carns Dark-Horse Labour Leadership Candidate

5/15/2026

Center

Al Carns Candidacy

Former Royal Marine Colonel Al Carns, the decorated British soldier since World II, is floated as a dark-horse Labour leadership candidate.
The Birmingham Selly Oak MP said he will join the Labour leadership race if a contest is triggered.
The New Statesman column argued Labour must win back working-class voters in Sheffield and Aberdeen.
Following the May 7 local elections, Labour lost most councillors in his Selly Oak constituency.

Left

Labour Leadership Contest

Labour’s leadership contest needs endorsements from MPs, constituency parties, trade unions and members, making it more complex than Conservative rules.
Minister Al Carns, MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, will join the Labour leadership race if a contest is triggered.
Ninety-two Labour MPs publicly urged Keir Starmer to resign, prompting talk of a confidence vote.
Party factions eye Lucy Powell or Bridget Phillipson as consensus candidates to reunite Labour ranks.

1 of 2

Al Carns Candidacy

Former Royal Marine Colonel Al Carns, the decorated British soldier since World II, is floated as a dark-horse Labour leadership candidate.
The Birmingham Selly Oak MP said he will join the Labour leadership race if a contest is triggered.
The New Statesman column argued Labour must win back working-class voters in Sheffield and Aberdeen.
Following the May 7 local elections, Labour lost most councillors in his Selly Oak constituency.

1 / 2