Long Term Impacts
Reconsidering Peacetime Conscription
In 2024, the United Kingdom revisited the idea of peacetime conscription yet again. The Conservative Party, led by Rishi Sunak, thinks that if 18-year olds serve in the military, both they and their country would benefit from it.
Rishi Sunak (left), Wes Streeting (right), 2024
Sky News
“Britain today faces a future that is more dangerous and more divided. There is no doubt that our diplomatic values are under threat.
That is why we will introduce a bold new model of National Service for 18-year olds, to be spent either in competitive full time military commission over twelve months, or with one weekend per month volunteering in roles within the community, like delivering prescriptions and food to infirm people, or in search and rescue.
Young people will gain valuable skills, make our country more secure, and build a stronger national culture. This ambition benefits our country and young people alike. ”
Rishi Sunak, 2024, National Service: Why I'll Bring it Back
However, not everyone agrees with the Conservative Party's views.
“The final thing I'll say on the concept of service: this Prime Minister [Sunak] and your party, Damian, are in no position whatsoever to lecture anyone else about service to the country, and this generation of young people, who I think the Prime Minister was implying were somehow reckless and in need of this opportunity of discipline, this is a generation who've made more of a sacrifice than my generation and people around my age have ever made, because it was their education, their well-being, and their childhood that was sacrificed during the pandemic, for good reason, but for the first time in my lifetime, in recent history, where we said to young people, you need to make a sacrifice to protect us as adults. We owe this generation. ”
Wes Streeting, 2024, Wes Streeting Tears Apart Sunak's National Service Plan
Sunak's plan has raised many opinions with civilians. Since the main reasons for peacetime conscription in the 1940's no longer exist, the younger, more affected generation, is generally opposed. Despite this, the older generation is generally more inclined towards peacetime conscription because, in their minds, it is the younger generation's responsibility to serve their country, regardless of what rights they might otherwise choose to prioritize.
“After 18, you've just finished your A-levels and you just want to go to uni, if you're gonna, and it's just pointless. It should be a choice. If it's like, military, then it's traumatic, that can be quite scary for someone that young as well.”
2024, MyLondon Interviewee
“Definitely not a fan. As a 20-year-old British citizen, I would not like being enlisted in the military. I think it's a ridiculous idea. I don't know why he's decided to announce that as if it's going to help his chances in the general election. I mean I feel like maybe he is trying to appeal to an older generation, who might like the idea of the younger generation having a sense of nationalism or something. But I'm so not into that.”
2024, MyLondon Interviewee