Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has proposed drafting 18-year-olds into some form of national service scheme.
Under the mandatory scheme, teenagers will have to enrol in the military for 12 months or spend one weekend each month volunteering in their community.
This initiative aims to instil a sense of duty and contribute to national security, reflecting the value of maintaining a peaceful and secure society.
The PM said: ‘The UK has generations of young people who have not had the opportunity they deserve’, adding that this measure will help unite society in an increasingly uncertain world’.
The Bible says,
Micah 4:4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
What is National Service?
National Service was introduced in the UK in 1949, with all physically fit males aged 17 and 21 having to serve in the Armed Forces initially for 18 months. However, in 1950 a further National Service Act lengthened the period of service to two years.
They then remained on the reserve list for another four years and during this time they could be called on to serve with their units but on no more than three occasions for a maximum of 20 days.
National Service ended in 1960, though periods of deferred service still had to be completed. The last national servicemen were discharged in 1963.
Who is exempt?
No one will be exempted from taking part in the National Service programme, not even the royals. Others will fit the scheme around their lives. There will be very limited deferments and none for university students.
Further, there will be no exemption for those who are in work. Also, being on a gap year abroad will not be a reason for exemption and those abroad will be expected to do their National Service alongside any travel. However, the Royal Commission will look at exemptions, including where people are already working in the military. But the starting point remains that all people serve.
The Royal Commission will also strive to ensure full participation. Weekend placements could involve roles within the NHS, fire or police services, or with charities dedicated to supporting older adults and combating loneliness.
National service ‘idiotic’
Jeremy Clarkson asserts that it would be better for young people to work on the land. He is quite right that British people don’t seem too enthusiastic about bending over to pick strawberries or waking up at the crack of dawn to milk cows.
‘Here’s an idea. Instead of national service, which is obviously idiotic, how about kids working on farms,’ Jeremy Clarkson said.
Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak has indicated, between the lines, that this modern form of national service will equip young people with valuable skills and opportunities for life. He claims it will foster a powerful culture of service, enhancing societal cohesion, and in a more uncertain and dangerous world, it will bolster our country’s security and resilience.
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Four key aspects to this proposal
There are four key aspects to this proposal. Firstly, although unspoken, Mr. Sunak likely believes this initiative will attract votes, particularly from those whom Nigel Farage is steering towards Richard Tice and his Reform Party.
Secondly, working backwards, Mr. Sunak mentions that the world is more ‘uncertain and dangerous,’ though he doesn’t specify compared to when. He asserts that national service will ‘strengthen our country’s security and resilience,’ which is undoubtedly a positive outcome.
Thirdly, Rishi Sunak portrays this initiative as a means to foster a more cohesive society through a culture of service. Implicit in this statement is the recognition that society currently lacks cohesion. Perhaps he has observed instances such as pro-Hamas demonstrators freely marching through the streets, Jewish individuals living in fear, women hesitating to use changing facilities due to predatory behaviour from some male ‘transwomen’, or young girls being targeted by gangs.
It seems apparent that achieving societal cohesion will require more than just a few Saturday afternoons of 18-year-olds participating in community activities. Restoring unity around the United Kingdom’s Christian constitution, which serves as the only valid point of reference, may prove to be a more substantial undertaking.
The Bible says,
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Potential benefits for social cohesion
While the UK Prime Minister claims that the plan will foster a ‘national spirit,’ Home Secretary James Cleverly suggests it will help young people break out of their ‘bubble.’
The theory is that through military service or working with charitable organisations, young people will have the opportunity to develop civic pride and social responsibility.
They will also interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds, form new social bonds, and cultivate mutual trust. This approach holds potential benefits for social cohesion in the future.
National service akin to slave labour?
There would only be 30,000 military placements available, with tests introduced to determine the selection of applicants.
The vast majority of 18-year-olds would have no involvement with the military. They would essentially be involved in the 12-month-long community-service programme.
The British Army lacks the resources, both in time and funds, to train hundreds of thousands of reluctant teenagers who have no desire to participate and will likely leave once their 12-month service is completed.
Managing unwilling conscripts would pose more challenges than benefits. Some have exaggeratedly claimed that even the voluntary aspect of the national service plan borders on fascism or resembles slave labor. Such assertions are plainly ridiculous.
Developed and democratic countries such as Russia, Sweden, France, Lithuania, Estonia, Germany, Norway, Nigeria and others have national service or conscription programmes that are similar to what the Tories are proposing.
National service a priority?
While it’s commendable to use a revamped form of national service to instil a sense of national belonging and civic responsibility among young people, any potential gains could be undermined by the current economic, social, and political landscape that disadvantages them.
Young people face significant challenges in securing well-paying jobs and accessing the housing market. If the Tories are truly serious about fostering national belonging among our youth, they should be advocating for a fairer socio-economic framework—one that gives teenagers and young adults a genuine stake in society.
Why not offer more educational and vocational opportunities? Why not provide more affordable housing? These are critical issues that the next government must address before considering the reintroduction of national service.
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READ: 1Sam 08:03; 2Sam 3:36;2Sam 11:1; Psa 4:8a; Prov 28:02a; Psa 127:1b; 2Chron 17:18; Matt 05:17-20; Matt 06:24; Rom 3:16; Rev 19:19
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Pray for our leaders to repent and seek the Lord.
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There should be an opt out for conscientious objectors and those who do not want to fight. There is no point training ro sending non-fighters into an army. During WW2 my grandfather as a Baptist minister, was called upon to give evidence to support men in his church who were pacifists, and did not want to fight. Obviously the country allowed an opt out for military service rather than send pacifist men into battle.
I wondered if this was actually a bid not to get re-elected because the Conservatives have had enough and want to hand over the mess to another party.
It could also be an attempt to send young people over to Ukraine, where they will be killed because of the brutality of modern warfare. Armenia has suffered a similar experience in its recent war which went badly for it and according to Armenian Ministries hs left the country traumatised by the huge losses of young men. I pray that we do not have anything like this inflicted upon us but we are wide open to it.
Any young people must resist this at all costs. Start going to church young people, become a Christian and build up evidence of pacifism based on Jesus’ teaching. It could save you from being sent into a pointless elites war where the chances are you will be killed. I seems to be another example of a world de-population agenda.
We should of course be praying against this evil, including peace for Ukraine and Armenia.
The Armenian situation is terrible, and they are arguably a casualty of Russian attention diverted to Ukraine.
As so often the question has to be asked, how will government policies be funded, to provide affordable housing etc. As for national service, why are we hearing about it only now? It sounds like an election gimmick that Sunak has suddenly thought up, regardless of the people who will have to manage it.
You might very well think that. We could not of course comment.