UK’s Sunak eyes national service: What is it and which countries have it?
Al Jazeera
The proposed national service scheme is not the same as conscription but gives youth an option between mandatory military and civil service.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to bring back mandatory national service if the governing Conservative Party wins the July 4 national election, prompting a nationwide debate on a policy Britain abandoned more than 60 years ago.
According to an announcement made by Sunak on Sunday, 18-year-olds will be given a choice between a full-time placement in the armed forces or volunteering in their community.
The Conservative leader, who is hoping to boost his party’s popularity as it lags behind the opposition Labour Party by a wide margin in opinion polls, said the scheme would promote a “shared sense of purpose among our young people and a renewed sense of pride in our country”.
Opposition parties have criticised the scheme, saying its consequences for the economy and society are unclear.
The proposed national service scheme is not the same as conscription, where people are legally bound to join the military for a period.
