Home defence force and strategic reserve plans

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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