London (AFP)
The ruling Conservative Party in Britain has confirmed that it will reimpose national service if it wins power again in the UK general elections scheduled for July 4.
Based on the plans announced, Britons aged 18 will have two options: either to join the army full-time for 12 months, or to spend one weekend each month as volunteers in their communities for a year.
It is noteworthy that Britain had imposed national service from 1947 until 1960, when young men between the ages of 17 and 21 served in the armed forces for 18 months. Several European countries, including Norway and Sweden, have a form of temporary military service.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the plan would “produce a sense of common purpose among our young people and renew a sense of pride in our country.”
He said in a statement, “This new and compulsory national service will provide opportunities that change the lives of our youth and provide them with the opportunity to learn real-life skills, do things, and contribute to their society and our country.”
Although Sunak indicated it would be mandatory, Home Secretary James Cleverly told Sky News on Sunday that any young people who refused to participate would not be subject to any criminal penalties. The Conservatives, who have been in power since 2010, estimate that the plan will cost about 2.5 billion pounds ($3.2 billion) annually, with the first batch of teenagers participating in it in September 2025. The Conservatives said that young people who decide to register to join the army “will learn They participate in logistical issues, cybersecurity, procurement operations or civilian response.”
Volunteering will include helping firefighters, police, the NHS and charities dealing with loneliness and supporting the elderly and isolated people, the party said.
Political commentators saw the announcement as an attempt to draw attention to drawing a clear dividing line between the “Conservatives” and the main opposition party — “Labor” — which leads by double digits in opinion polls. The Labor Party, led by Keir Starmer, described the announcement as not serious and a “desperate” attempt that lacks funding.
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