Government reports and major UK news outlets

UK PM Sunak Announces Plan to Reintroduce Compulsory National Service for 18-Year-Olds Ahead of General Election

May 25, 2024, 09:24 PM

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a radical plan to reintroduce compulsory national service for all 18-year-olds in the UK. The proposal, which is part of the Conservative Party's manifesto, will require young adults to either serve in the military for 12 months or engage in community service during weekends. Sunak has expressed his willingness for his own daughters to participate in the program. The policy aims to appeal to traditional Conservative voters and those supporting the Reform Party, in an effort to consolidate votes ahead of the upcoming General Election. Critics have raised concerns about the feasibility and funding of the plan, noting past cuts to the National Citizen Service and questioning the readiness of the British Army to absorb an influx of conscripts. The BBC reported that the plan is also intended to prevent Tory MPs from losing their seats due to vote splitting.