- Former defence minister Al Carns has declined an offer to return to government, citing that the defence funding issue, which led to his previous resignation, has not yet been settled.
- Carns resigned in June, alongside then-defence secretary John Healey, over concerns that the defence funding on the table was inadequate for the threats facing the country.
- New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has not committed to increasing defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030, a target advocated by his Chancellor, John Healey.
- Carns stated that accepting another role now would suggest the argument over defence funding was resolved, which he believes is not the case.
- He intends to continue making the case for increased defence spending from the backbenches, acknowledging that John Healey's appointment as Chancellor changes the picture positively.
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