British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that 18-year-olds would be required to undertake a form of national service if the Conservatives win the July 4 election.
Sunak stated that Britain has “generations of young people who have not had the opportunities they deserve” and argued that this radical measure would help unite society in an “increasingly uncertain world.”
Under this plan, 18-year-olds would have the option to either commit to a full-time placement in the armed forces for 12 months or volunteer one weekend a month for a year within their community. The proposed volunteering could involve assisting local fire, police, and National Health Service services, as well as charities addressing loneliness and supporting elderly, isolated individuals.
In an apparent appeal to older voters, the Tories emphasized the benefits of this community service.
Sunak aims to differentiate the Conservative Party from Labour on global security, highlighting his pledge to increase defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2030. Criticizing Labour leader Keir Starmer, Sunak claimed that without a plan, Starmer would leave Britain “at risk” because adversaries would perceive his lack of strategy.
For those opting for the armed forces placement, the Conservatives indicated that teenagers would engage in logistics, cybersecurity, procurement, or civil response operations.
The Conservatives plan to establish a royal commission, incorporating expertise from both the military and civil society, to design this “bold” national service program. They aim to launch the first pilot in September 2025, with the goal of passing a “National Service Act” to make these measures mandatory by the end of the next Parliament.
Sunak expressed, “This is a great country, but generations of young people have not had the opportunities or experiences they deserve. There are forces trying to divide our society in this increasingly uncertain world. I have a clear plan to address this and secure our future. I will introduce a new model of national service to create a shared sense of purpose among our young people and a renewed sense of pride in our country. This new, mandatory national service will provide life-changing opportunities for our young people, offering them the chance to learn real-world skills, do new things, and contribute to their community and our country.”
Earlier on Saturday, Sunak suggested that a government led by Starmer would bring uncertainty and a “more dangerous world,” warning that “no plan means a more dangerous world. You, your family, and our country are all at risk if Labour wins.”
In response, Labour labeled the announcement as “another desperate unfunded commitment,” noting that former Prime Minister David Cameron introduced a similar scheme, the National Citizen Service, which focused on activities such as outdoor education without an armed forces component as part of his “Big Society” initiative.
A Labour spokesperson criticized the proposal, stating, “This is not a plan – it’s a review which could cost billions and is only needed because the Tories hollowed out the armed forces to their smallest size since Napoleon. Britain has had enough of the Conservatives, who are bankrupt of ideas and have no plans to end 14 years of chaos. It’s time to turn the page and rebuild Britain with Labour.”