Al Carns Minister turns sights from Everest to leadership

A former special forces colonel, government minister Al Carns, was this week on manouevres warning that the UK needs to be preparing for war with Russia.

- Rowena Mason Whitehall editor

"The shadow of war is knocking on Europe's door once more. That's the reality. We've got to be prepared to deter it," he said, in comments that go beyond previous warnings by his boss, the defence secretary, John Healey.

"Collectively, everybody - what is their role if we get caught in an existential crisis, and what do they need to be aware they need to do and what they can't do, and how do we mobilise the nation to support a military endeavour?"

It was stark language from the 45-year-old Scottish-born MP, who has had an exceptionally swift rise to his role of armed forces minister.

And inevitably for a politician with a background in the armed forces, there has been speculation about whether he is future leadership materiallike at various points Dan Jarvis, Clive Lewis, Tom Tugendhat, James Cleverly and Penny Mordaunt before him.

This time though, some Labour MPs think he may be a real prospect if and when the opportunity arises.