The Defence Secretary appeared to mock the Armed Forces minister today over his spending on self-promotional videos at taxpayers' expense.
Healey's Jibe at Carns
John Healey, a staunch supporter of Sir Keir Starmer, aimed a jibe at Al Carns who is expected to join the race to replace the Prime Minister. After reports Carns claimed £36,000 for communications and PR services, Healey said last night: 'I don't care about photo ops or PR firms.'
'Politics - to me - is not about the individual. People will not forgive us if they think we're more concerned about ourselves than them. Right now the credibility of Labour in government is at stake. We must get serious. It is not about us. It is not about the insiders of politics. It is about the interests of the country.'
Carns' Role and Ambitions
Carns has served as part of the Ministry of Defence's ministerial team since he was elected to the House of Commons in 2024. The former Royal Marine and Special Forces officer was Veterans Minister before becoming Armed Forces minister. Hugely ambitious, Carns is expected to run for Prime Minister should a leadership contest materialise.
Spending on Promotional Videos
Friends of Carns have suggested he is 'not afraid of the gunfire' should somebody fire the starting gun in the race to become PM. But last week it emerged Carns has spent more than other ministers on promotional videos showing off his constituency work, including a pull-ups competition with a local firefighter.
The Selly Oak MP claimed £20,900 for communication and media expenses in 2024/25 and £14,900 in 2025/26 according to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA). According to the i Paper, Carns' spending on communications was the second highest of any MP in the country, and more than other ministers.
Carns' Defence
Carns has insisted the payments were made in 'full compliance with IPSA rules' and that the work related to constituency engagement rather than personal promotion. In 2024/25, every other minister on the IPSA register spent a combined £24,600 on communication and media, only £3,700 more than Carns claimed by himself.
