Rishi Sunak vows to bring back National Service

[CharlieH]

 

Prime Minister reveals radical plan to force all 18-year-olds to serve in the military for 12 months 

 

If the Conservatives win the upcoming General Election, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak plans to introduce compulsory National Service for all 18-year-olds. He announced this surprising proposal in an article for The Mail on Sunday.

Under this plan, school-leavers would have to spend a year either in a full-time role with the Armed Forces or volunteering with organisations like the police or the NHS. This idea is based on similar systems already used in some European countries.

This bold move is expected to create mixed reactions but will certainly stir up the first full week of the election campaign.

Mr. Sunak explained that the 'reinvented' scheme would offer 'life-changing opportunities for our young people.' He also said, "As a father, I look forward to my own two daughters doing their National Service; I think they will find it a rewarding experience."

He added, "Being British is about more than just the queue you join at passport control."

 

The idea of making school-leavers join the scheme is expected to be the most controversial part. However, No. 10 says that only about 10 percent of 18-year-olds are likely to choose a full military commitment for the whole 12 months, while most would work just one weekend a month.

If the Conservatives win, a Royal Commission will be set up to finalize the details, and the scheme could start as soon as September next year.

 

Secretly Planned National Service

The plan for bringing back National Service was developed in secret, with only Mr. Sunak’s close advisers, including former Tory leader William Hague, being informed about it.

In their private 40-page plan, the advisers argued that the growing threats from countries like Russia and China need to be addressed by strengthening the Armed Forces. They also pointed out the ongoing issue of many young adults feeling aimless, with nearly 750,000 people aged 18 to 24 currently out of work and a high percentage involved in the criminal justice system.

The civic roles could include assisting with flood defenses and community aid during natural disasters, providing support roles in the NHS, working in fire safety, or joining the RNLI or mountain search and rescue teams.

 

As reported by Mail Online

 

2024-05-26

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[Purdey]

The Thai government will be weeping tears of joy as they welcome more young British men to Thailand. 

[Seppius]

Rishi must desperately want to lose this election

[rocketboy2]

What a wingnut.

The Tories have lost.

Silly, useless incompetent, sods.

[thaibeachlovers]

It's a good idea- sort the ratbags out, but has as much chance of succeeding as the poll tax.

[worgeordie]

Make it 2 years ,the youth of today need to learn a bit of discipline ,and get 

off their smartphones......it will do them the world of good ,see what happens

when they try to answer back to a drill Sergeant .....

 

regards Worgeordie

[In the jungle]

This is sure to capture the youth vote.

[RuamRudy]

12 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Make it 2 years ,the youth of today need to learn a bit of discipline ,and get 

off their smartphones......it will do them the world of good ,see what happens

when they try to answer back to a drill Sergeant .....

 

regards Worgeordie

 

Did you do it?

[Chomper Higgot]

Don’t ask the idiot Sunak where the money to pay for this would come from.

 

Did he even ask the leaders of the armed forces if they need to reinstate ‘National Service’?

 

The half drowned Sunak is clutching at straws as the Tory ship sinks and the rats flee.

 

[Chomper Higgot]

11 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

 

Did you do it?

More to the point, is he willing to pay for it?!

[worgeordie]

14 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

 

Did you do it?

Yes I did   If I paid tax in UK ..Yes , we might need them if Putin does not stop it ....

 

regards Worgeordie

Edited May 26 by worgeordie

[Baht Simpson]

I particularly like Sunak's joy at being able to put his own two children in the firing line.  A Kipling for our times.

[Baht Simpson]

9 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Don’t ask the idiot Sunak where the money to pay for this would come from.

 

The police and NHS budget. He's fooling no one.

[Baht Simpson]

I guess we’re all too old on here for National Service but perhaps we can still do our part. I think I’m a shoe-in for Sgt. Wilson. I’d be awfully good.

[Baht Simpson]

14 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

we might need them if Putin does not stop it ....

 

regards Worgeordie

Yes, the experience of empying bedpans will be a great asset against a nuclear power.

[Baht Simpson]

1 hour ago, Seppius said:

Rishi must desperately want to lose this election

I guess we're going to see a number of desperate last rolls of the dice in the coming weeks.

[RuamRudy]

17 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Yes I did  

 

regards Worgeordie

 

Well, in all seriousness, hats off to you - there are precious few of your generation left but while I respect your view from a position of experience, I will suggest that the majority clamouring to see it reintroduced will not have had the experience of it that you have had. 

 

The world is a very different place now. The opportunities that are open to young people today are almost unimaginable in their breadth and internationalism. The solution to youth disaffection is not some nationalistic throwback to a time from before the vast majority of us were alive. The government needs to focus on removing barriers to opportunity. 

[thaibeachlovers]

47 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

 

Did you do it?

Answer back to a drill sergeant, or do National Service?

 

I was called up but I had already volunteered. Nothing wrong with making the ratbags have a bit of enforced discipline, Might stop some of them becoming criminals.

[thaibeachlovers]

5 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

The world is a very different place now. The opportunities that are open to young people today are almost unimaginable in their breadth and internationalism. The solution to youth disaffection is not some nationalistic throwback to a time from before the vast majority of us were alive. The government needs to focus on removing barriers to opportunity. 

Is that the opportunity to bully people on social media, or live in mummy's basement and look at porn? You do realise that AI robotics is shortly going to remove most jobs from humans, don't you? It's already happening if one wishes to open one's eyes.

 

BTW, in my day we had unlimited opportunities in the jobs we had available- real jobs, not BS ones in "media". Jobs like carpenters, mechanics, electronics, telecommunications, plumbers, or farming. The dole was not an occupation, as it is now.

[Seppius]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Is that the opportunity to bully people on social media, or live in mummy's basement and look at porn? You do realise that AI robotics is shortly going to remove most jobs from humans, don't you? It's already happening if one wishes to open one's eyes.

 

BTW, in my day we had unlimited opportunities in the jobs we had available- real jobs, not BS ones in "media". Jobs like carpenters, mechanics, electronics, telecommunications, plumbers, or farming. The dole was not an occupation, as it is now.

For once I agree with you, particularly the AI comment, unimaginable what even 50 years in the future will be like, the speed  AI is growing at

[GroveHillWanderer]

I imagine if this did ever come in (which it won't) then the vast majority of teenagers would choose the option of 24 days a year doing community service on a weekend over 365 days in the armed forces.

Edited May 26 by GroveHillWanderer

[RuamRudy]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Is that the opportunity to bully people on social media, or live in mummy's basement and look at porn? You do realise that AI robotics is shortly going to remove most jobs from humans, don't you? It's already happening if one wishes to open one's eyes.

 

BTW, in my day we had unlimited opportunities in the jobs we had available- real jobs, not BS ones in "media". Jobs like carpenters, mechanics, electronics, telecommunications, plumbers, or farming. The dole was not an occupation, as it is now.

 

It seems that every generation there is a new threat/opportunity which will steal our jobs/free us from the burden of work.

 

But human ingenuity and adaptability always creates new opportunities. AI is definitely going to change things, but like the internet before it, huge swathes of people are not going to be languishing in poverty as a result because innovation will fill the gap, as it has done countless times in the past.

 

If you were also born in the 30s or early 40s I disagree that you had equality of opportunity. The UK has always been an incredibly stratified country. Things were improving significantly until the last 10 years or so; that's what we need to tackle - the retrenchment to where only children of the rich can hope to aspire to the top. National Service is not going to fix that.

[MangoKorat]

3 hours ago, Seppius said:

Rishi must desperately want to lose this election

The man is on a suicide mission. He's already out of touch with real life - that experienced by 'normal people'. Now, he's doing all he can to alienate that young vote.

 

First the smoking ban, now this.

 

I had a discussion with my neighbour's lad who would be affected by both laws - if they ever get enacted. On smoking, he told me his even his non smoking mates were worried about the implications on freedom of choice that the proposal brought about. 

 

This one will probably convince them the Tories are hell bent on a more authoritarian future for the UK - something I believe has been clear since Theresa May was home secretary.

 

The current Home Secretary, James Cleverly stated that 'too many young people live in their own bubble' and went on to state that they need to integrate more fully with society.

 

What is this?  Social Engineering?

[youreavinalaff]

A good idea if there are exceptions.

 

Any 18 year old going to university or in full time employment, with time limits, need not go.

 

That way, the lazy ones that come out of school and straight on the dole will, I'm sure, find work.

[MangoKorat]

Sunak can have as many ideas as he wants. To enact any proposal, first you have to be in government - after 4 July it is highly doubtful that Sunak will be making any new rules.

[Gweiloman]

In their private 40-page plan, the advisers argued that the growing threats from countries like China need to be addressed by strengthening the Armed Forces.

What an idiot. The threat from a country like China is economic and technological, not military. Looks like the MIC has gotten their claws into the British government as well.

[herfiehandbag]

A really silly idea.

 

At present we have a good, if under resourced Army.

 

This will saddle the army with legions of unwilling recruits, which it neither wants, needs, can equip or train properly. 12 months is not enough time to make half useful soldiers, all It can do is prepare them for future reserve service, which of course they would not undertake. Our existing regular professional soldiers will have to spend their time training "National Service Conscripts" rather than practicing their professional skills. There is not the accommodation for them, the training facilities or the equipment; you won't get away with putting them in 20 man rooms in huts, not in 2025!

 

I am sure exactly the same arguements apply to the Police and NHS.

[RuamRudy]

4 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

In their private 40-page plan, the advisers argued that the growing threats from countries like China need to be addressed by strengthening the Armed Forces.

What an idiot. The threat from a country like China is economic and technological, not military. Looks like the MIC has gotten their claws into the British government as well.

 

And make the prospect of a career in the armed forces desirable and without restriction or limit depending upon status. Little Lord Fauntleroy shouldn't be guaranteed a commission because his father is a Wykehamist while a more capable and creative comprehensive lad has to tug the forelock for all his days in service.

 

[transam]

1 minute ago, RuamRudy said:

 

And make the prospect of a career in the armed forces desirable and without restriction or limit depending upon status. Little Lord Fauntleroy shouldn't be guaranteed a commission because his father is a Wykehamist while a more capable and creative comprehensive lad has to tug the forelock for all his days in service.

 

Oh, the envy of some people..........

[RuamRudy]

2 minutes ago, transam said:

Oh, the envy of some people..........

 

Do you not wish for your children's and grandchildren talents and abilities to be recognised without prejudice? Why do you think that they should have to be treated as lesser because you (presumably) aren't aristocracy?