Rishi Sunak’s proposal to reintroduce mandatory national service has been met with widespread criticism from military leaders, Conservative figures, and political opponents. Here’s the full story.
Only Just Begun
The general election campaign has only just begun, and current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is not having a good time.
Mass Exodus
From the very beginning, when Sunak announced the election in the pouring rain outside Downing Street, his campaign has been upset by gaffes, miscommunication and a mass exodus of Conservatives who, seeing how far ahead Labour are in the polls, are opting to jump before they are pushed.
Sparking a Backlash
However, Sunak’s latest proposal, the reintroduction of national service for 18- —and 19-year-olds, has sparked a backlash from everyone who heard it, including members of the Conservative party, former military chiefs, and every opposition party in the country.
“Valuable Work Experience”
Sunak said that his latest proposal, reminiscent of post-World War II conscription, would offer those unfortunate enough to be enlisted “valuable work experience” and “ignite a passion for a future career in healthcare, public service, charity or the armed forces.”
Poorly Conceived
Despite this, the plan, which aims to have young people spend a year in the military or engage in volunteer work, has been labelled poorly conceived and impractical, raising concerns about its feasibility and impact on the armed forces.
Military Criticism
Within hours of the announcement, criticism poured in from military figures and from across the political spectrum.
“Basically Bonkers”
Admiral Alan West, a former Chief of the Naval Staff, did not hold back when he told the Guardian, “I’m delighted if more young people become aware of defence and are involved … but this idea is basically bonkers.”
“Money Will Be Sucked Out”
He continued, “We need to spend more on defence, and – by doing what he’s suggesting – money will be sucked out of defence.”
“Electoral Opportunism”
Similarly, Richard Dannatt, a former Chief of the General Staff, condemned the proposal as “electoral opportunism.”
“Costs of This Would Be Considerable”
He added, “The costs of this would be considerable in terms of trainers and infrastructure. This task cannot just be imposed on the armed forces as an extra thing to do.”
Worries Over Implementation
Michael Portillo, the former Conservative Defence Secretary, told GB News, “The way in which this policy has been produced worries me very much indeed. That is to say, I very much doubt whether it’s been thought through, and I doubt whether the armed services and all the charities that need to be involved have been consulted and are on board.”
“No Current Plans”
Just a few hours after Portillo’s pronouncement, Steve Baker, a minister at the Northern Ireland Office, who had previously said the government had “no current plans to reintroduce national service,” changed his tune and revealed that the plan had been conceived by political advisers without proper consultation with relevant ministers or candidates.
“Sprung on Candidates”
Baker stated, “I don’t like to be pedantic but a government policy would have been developed by ministers on the advice of officials and collectively agreed. I would have had a say on behalf of [Northern Ireland]. But this proposal was developed by a political adviser or advisers and sprung on candidates, some of whom are relevant ministers.”
“Teenage Dad’s Army”
Labour leader Keir Starmer quickly condemned the proposal, stating, “The desperation of this national service policy – a teenage Dad’s Army – paid for by cancelling levelling up funding and money from tax avoidance that we would use to invest in our NHS.”
Negative Impacts
Andrew Murrison, the Defense Minister, had also previously stated that there were no plans for reintroducing national service, citing potential negative impacts on military morale, recruitment, and retention.
“Potentially Unwilling”
He pointed out that forcing “potentially unwilling” recruits to serve alongside professional soldiers could damage morale and discipline.
Royal Commission
In response to the backlash, the Conservatives proposed the establishment of a royal commission to examine international examples of national service and design incentives for young people.
Crimes Against Humanity
The commission would look at countries like Norway and Israel, whose leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, is currently facing a possible arrest warrant for crimes against humanity, to examine international examples of national service.
“Keep Digging”
Richard Foord, the Liberal Democrats’ defence spokesperson, rubbished the idea of a Royal Commission as the cure-all for the Conservatives’ many ills, stating, “As Suella Braverman once said, when you’re in a hole, keep digging.”
Dead in the Water
Rishi Sunak’s national service proposal seems to be dead in the water. Military Leaders don’t want it, Conservatives in his party don’t want it, none of the opposition parties want it, and, most importantly, recent polling has shown that the public doesn’t want it.
Political Hail Mary
As the Conservatives grapple with the fallout of what appears to be a political hail mary, which has failed to land, it remains to be seen if this plan will make it to election day.
The post Military Leaders and Conservatives Slam Sunak’s National Service Reintroduction Plan first appeared on Swift Feed.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sandor Szmutko.