British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the Conservative government would return mandatory national service if it wins the election.
In an article for the Sunday Telegraph, the Prime Minister confirmed that all 18-year-olds would have to enlist for a year’s military service or spend one weekend each month doing voluntary work, such as being a special constable, RNLI volunteer or NHS worker, as well as joining St John Ambulance or helping to build flood defences.
Sunak stressed: “This is a great country but generations of young people have not had the opportunities or experience they deserve and there are forces trying to divide our society in this increasingly uncertain world. (…) I will bring in a new version of National Service to create a shared sense of purpose among our young people and a renewed sense of pride in our country.”
In practice, a royal commission will be set up to develop the new National Service programme, leading to a pilot programme that will open for applications in September 2025, according to the Guardian. Legally, however, it would be backed by the National Service Act. The Prime Minister emphasised:
“This new, mandatory National Service will provide life-changing opportunities for our young people, offering them the chance to learn real-world skills, do new things and contribute to their community and our country.”
The Tories insisted the scheme does not equate to conscription, saying the Covid pandemic showed the importance of civilian service. A similar scheme proved successful in Sweden that 80 per cent of young people doing national service said they would recommend it to their peers, according to the Tories. The party said the country needs to be “open and honest” about the long-term challenges it faces, adding that the scheme will provide young people with a variety of opportunities.
The issue of the return of compulsory military service in one way or another is not the first time it has been raised. Earlier this month, Germany’s Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, spoke out in favour of bringing back compulsory military service, abolished in 2011.
National Service Criticism
The Labour Party accused the Tories of forcing 18-year-olds to solve problems created by the government by increasing the size of the military, helping the National Health Service and repairing infrastructure. They described the idea as an underplayed policy by the Tories, who have already raised the prospect of tax cuts they have yet to fund.
A Labour spokesperson said: “This is another desperate, £2.5 billion unfunded commitment from a Tory party which has already crashed the economy by sending mortgages rocketing, and now they’re spoiling for more.”
This is not a plan – it’s a review which could cost billions and is only needed because the Tories hollowed out the armed forces to their smallest size since Napoleon. Britain has had enough of the Conservatives, who are bankrupt of ideas, and have no plans to end 14 years of chaos. It’s time to… rebuild Britain with Labour.
The Tories said the scheme would be part-funded by £1 billion in tax credits and £1.5 billion currently spent in the UK’s Common Prosperity Fund. A similar scheme was outlined in 2010 by David Cameron.
Sunak has been accused of hypocrisy over his plan. In January, the prime minister rebuked Sir Patrick Saunders, head of the general staff, for his subsequent suggestion that Britain might need a civilian army to fight Putin. A spokesman for the prime minister said at the time that Sunak disagreed with his comments and insisted there would be no return to national service, which was abolished in 1960.
