Rishi Sunak Announces National Service for 18-Year-Olds If Tories Win July 4 Election

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that eighteen-year-olds must undertake national service if the Tories win the July 4 general election. Sunak emphasized that this initiative aims to provide opportunities to young people and unite society in an “increasingly uncertain world.”

Under the proposed plan, 18-year-olds could choose between a full-time 12-month placement in the armed forces or volunteering one weekend a month for a year in their community. Volunteering options include assisting local fire, police, NHS services, and charities supporting the elderly and isolated.

Rishi Sunak has vowed to bring back National Service if he wins the election (Picture WPA Pool/Getty)

Rishi Sunak has vowed to bring back National Service if he wins the election (Picture WPA Pool/Getty)

The initiative is part of Sunak’s strategy to highlight differences with Labour on global security, following his commitment to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030. Sunak criticized Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, claiming that voters would be “at risk” under his leadership due to a lack of a clear plan.

Young people opting for the armed forces would gain experience in logistics, cyber security, procurement, or civil response operations. The Conservatives plan to establish a royal commission to design the national service program, aiming for a pilot launch in September 2025. They hope to introduce a “National Service Act” to make participation compulsory by the end of the next Parliament.

The program is estimated to cost £2.5 billion annually by the decade’s end. Funding will come from cracking down on tax avoidance and evasion (£1 billion) and reallocating money from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (£1.5 billion).

Teenagers will be made to join the military for 12 months if the Conservatives win the upcoming General Election © Provided by Metro.

Sunak stated, “This is a great country, but generations of young people have not had the opportunities or experience they deserve… I will introduce a new national service model to create a shared sense of purpose among our young people and a renewed sense of pride in our country.”

Sunak suggested that a Labour-led government would bring uncertainty and danger, warning, “No plan means a more dangerous world. If Labour wins, you, your family, and our country are all at risk.”

Labour dismissed the proposal as a “desperate unfunded commitment,” referencing a similar scheme by former Prime Minister David Cameron, which focused on outdoor education without an armed forces component.

A Labour spokesperson said, “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.”

Sola Adeniji

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