Al Carns

Al Carns

Labour — Birmingham Selly Oak

Speaking in the House of Commons on 24 March 2026

Debate

Defence

Contribution

I hope war is not interested in you personally, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Iranian threat—Hezbollah, Hamas, lethal aid in Iraq and Afghanistan, and supporting terrorist organisations around the world—is not lost on me at all. However, I will be really clear: I have served in every staff college in the career structure of the British military, and I have always been taught that there are three key things. First, you have to have a legal mandate; secondly, you have to have a plan; and thirdly, you have to think to the end. If the Opposition think that we should be involved in the conflict, then by all means they should say so, but if they do not, they should be balanced.

More from Al Carns

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Al Carns's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Al Carns report card.

Partner sites