Rishi Sunak has announced that he plans to bring back a form of National Service for 18-year-olds if the Tories win the election
He said that he wanted to create a “renewed sense of pride in our country” adding that it was aimed at instilling a “shared sense of purpose” in youngsters in the face of forces which were “trying to divide our society”.
Eighteen year olds will be able to choose between a full-time placement over 12 months in the armed forces or one weekend per month for a year volunteering in their community.
In a statement the Party said:
”The Conservatives are today announcing mandatory National Service for every eighteen year old – they will be able to choose between a full-time placement over 12 months in the armed forces or one weekend per month for a year volunteering in their community.”
The party will establish Royal Commission to bring in expertise from across the armed forces & civil society to design our National Service Programme.
The Commission will bring forward a proposal on how to ensure the first pilot is open for applications in September 2025.
Labour described the announcement as another desperate £2.5 billion unfunded commitment from a Tory Party which already crashed the economy, sending mortgages rocketing, and now they’re spoiling for more.
“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.”
