Commons commando Al Carns did not rule out running against Andy Burnham for the Labour leadership and control of the country today, hours after quitting Keir Starmer's government.The former Royal Marine stepped down as armed forces minister last night, following defence secretary John Healey out in a row over funding for the UK military.The ex-Special Boat Service colonel, who climbed Mount Everest last year and has been dubbed 'Action Man' also lashed out at the way Northern Ireland veterans had been treated by the Northern Ireland Legacy Bill.The Prime Minister's fragile authority suffered a further blow with their resignations over long-delayed defence investment plan (DIP).Mr Carns said the plan did not have enough money behind it and was not 'transformational' in the way it responds to the challenges of modern warfare as shown by the Ukraine conflict, where drones have become a key factor on the battlefield.The highly-decorated ex-officer, who traded his military career for Westminster, insisted Sir Keir should stay in place to 'steady the ship' but did not rule out a future leadership bid.This morning he took to X to outline his views on where the country should be going, linking military strength to the cost of energy, saying: 'Strong countries get cheap energy. Weak countries pay whatever the strong ones decide.' The former Royal Marines Colonel stepped down as armed forces minister last night, following defence secretary John Healey out in a row over funding for the UK military The highly-decorated ex-officer, who traded his military career for Westminster, insisted Sir Keir should stay in place to 'steady the ship' but did not rule out a future leadership bid.He added: Britain spent a decade choosing to be smaller in the world. Right now the rules on communications, energy and trade are being rewritten. 'By China. By Russia. By countries that take their own security seriously. We need to be at that table. That's a choice we must make.'Asked if his was a resignation due to a matter of principle or because of his ambition, he had earlier told BBC Radio 4's Today: 'People get confused about ambition and service. My whole career has been put to service.'If I wanted to be ambitious, I wouldn't have got into politics. If I wanted to make more money, I wouldn't have got into politics.'I left the military not because my career was faltering, but because I decided I wanted to make change, because I think we're a pivotal moment in the history of the United Kingdom. 'So, this is about service to me. I've been really clear.'I haven't even received my P45 from the last job yet and we'll see what happens in the future.'Mr Carns has previously been linked with a run for the top politics job. Last month defence sources told the Mail he will only declare his interest once a leadership contest begins, having ruled out any attempt to topple the Prime Minister himself. That contest is expected to start soon after Thursday if Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election and returns to Westminster politics as an MP. However, he is likely to stand only an outside chance, with polls regularly putting him near last in terms of support among rank-and-file Labour members.Mr Carns joined the Royal Marines from school. After earning his green beret he transferred to the elite Special Boat Service (SBS) as an officer and he was decorated for gallantry in Afghanistan.In July 2010 he earned a Military Cross (MC) on a Special Forces operation in Haji Wakil, Helmand Province, that nearly cost him his life. A Taliban round missed the Aberdonian by inches. Mr Carns, who was sidelined from the DIP process, said there were problems with both the level of funding and the type of equipment being bought for the military. Al Carns' Special Forces background includes serving with distinction in Afghanistan, earning a Military Cross for gallantry Carns released this photograph when the Ministry of Defence approved plans to permit service personnel to keep pets in military housingService chiefs have called for around £28 billion over four years, while a figure of around £18 billion had been sought by officials in Whitehall.But the Dip promised just £13.5 billion, of which only £10 billion was extra cash, with defence sources claiming the other £3.5 billion was 'Treasury trickery', likely from expected efficiency savings or cuts.Mr Carns told Today: 'It is down to the Prime Minister to make his decisions where he wants to prioritise his spending.'What I would say is there are two things: we need to have a really honest conversation with the population about the threats that we face, and then we need really bold and courageous decisions to put the funding in the right place.'He suggested that welfare reform could be used to free up cash, saying he believed the system should offer 'hands up, not hand out' while ensuring support for those who need it.'We need to help the people who need the most help within the nation, but also get the balance right across defence.'That's a difficult circle to square, as we're finding.'