If the Conservative Party wins the July 4 national election, all 18-year-olds in Britain will be required to perform a year of mandatory military or civilian national service, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced. This plan aims to reintroduce a form of national service for the first time in over six decades to invigorate Sunak’s election campaign. The program would involve a small minority of 18-year-olds—30,000 out of an estimated 700,000—spending 12 months in the military, working in logistics or cyber defense, while the rest would engage in community service one weekend a month.
Historically, the UK had military conscription during World War II and mandatory military service for men between 1947 and 1960, but has since relied on an all-volunteer military force. Sunak believes the new program will foster a shared sense of purpose and national pride among young people. Participants in civilian roles would work with charities, community groups, hospitals, police, and fire services, promoting community involvement and civic responsibility.
