Conservatives propose reinstating mandatory National Service

The Conservative Party has announced plans to reintroduce mandatory national service if it wins the upcoming general election. Under the proposed scheme, 18-year-olds would have the option to either join the military full-time or volunteer one weekend every month for community service.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak believes that bringing back compulsory service would help cultivate a “national spirit” and provide young people with valuable skills and experiences. The cost of the program is estimated to be around £2.5 billion per year.

Opposition parties have criticized the proposal, with Labour calling it a “desperate £2.5 billion unfunded commitment” and the Liberal Democrats accusing the Tories of cutting troop numbers in the past.

National service, known as conscription, was last used in the UK in 1960. Several European countries, such as Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, still have some form of conscription for their armed forces.

The Conservative Party argues that national service would benefit young people who are unemployed, not in education or training, or overrepresented in the criminal justice system. It aims to provide them with work experience and potentially spark an interest in future careers in healthcare, public service, charity, or the armed forces.

With the proposed Royal Commission set to consider the details, the first participants could begin their service in September 2025. The move is seen as a way to address societal divisions and instill a sense of pride and purpose in the younger generation.