The ex-Royal Marine Commando kicking Britain's armed forces into shape

Britain's military has seen better days - that much everyone can
agree on.


Enter ex-Royal Marine Commando Colonel Alistair Scott Carns, aka
Wee Al, the UK's brand new Minister for Armed Forces. Part of the
fresh batch of Labour MPs who entered Parliament in 2024, he has
risen quickly through the Ministry of Defence and is considered
"one to watch".


Carns sat down with The Telegraph's associated defence editor
Dominic Nicholls to talk about his plans to get the military into
shape, the UK's commitment to Ukraine, and the ongoing Ajax
debate.


Plus he shared his views on Reform leader Nigel Farage and the
legacy of Stakeknife in Northern Ireland.


Read Dom's profile of Al
Carns: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/d/dk-do/dominic-nicholls/


For backgrounders on the tensions between Trump and
Venezuela: 


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/24/is-trump-about-to-invade-venezuela/


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/17/trump-builds-case-for-venezuela-war-as-worlds-biggest-aircr/


Listen to Venetia's dispatch from Sweden's Gotland
Island: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/17/the-tiny-swedish-island-regiment-tasked-protecting-europe/


Producer: Peter Shevlin


Executive Producer: Louisa Wells


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