Birmingham Selly Oak.

At Westminster, Al Carns is one of the quieter members of the 2024 Labour intake on the voting record -- participating in just half of all votes, well below the Commons average -- but as a junior minister he is exempt from many whipped divisions, which partially explains the figure. Where he has voted, he has backed Labour unanimously: 100% party-line alignment with no rebel votes. His most recent votes backed the steel nationalisation bill and the King's Speech, and in April he supported tightening asylum support rules for failed asylum seekers found to be working illegally.

His parliamentary pattern is shaped heavily by his ministerial brief. More than 70 of his 525 contributions have been on defence -- a dominant proportion -- reflecting his role as Veterans Minister and his own background as a decorated Royal Marines officer. He sits on the Armed Forces Bill Select Committee. On conscience votes his profile stands out: he voted against assisted dying at a rate 23 points higher than the Labour average, and backed welfare reform more consistently than most Labour colleagues. He scores very low on pro-parliamentary-scrutiny measures (8%), consistent with a government loyalist in a ministerial role.

Outside the chamber, Carns has drawn positive local coverage for lobbying West Midlands Police leadership to deliver dedicated neighbourhood officers for Selly Oak, and for championing the Midlands Rail Hub with local stakeholders. His veterans work -- visiting Combat Stress in his constituency and making public commitments on support for fallen soldiers -- generates consistent coverage. An Everest fundraising attempt for veterans charities attracted national attention. Data covers his activity since July 2024; as a minister, some government work will not appear in parliamentary records.