Rishi Sunak has pledged that a future Conservative government will reintroduce mandatory national service as part of his effort to revive his election campaign after a series of missteps.
According to Sunak’s proposal, every 18-year-old would be required to participate in either a competitive, full-time military commission or volunteer one weekend per month in “civil resilience” activities.
This plan, revealed late Saturday, aims to win back voters drifting towards Reform UK.
The Conservative Party emphasized the need for the country to be “open and honest” about long-term challenges, stating that the scheme would provide young people with “the opportunities they deserve.”
The proposed initiative includes a “bold new model of national service” where 18-year-olds could volunteer one weekend per month in roles such as special constables, RNLI volunteers, or NHS responders.
Officials believe this would equip young people with “real world skills, while contributing to their country and community.”
A royal commission would be established to design the national service program, leading to a pilot phase starting in September 2025.
The program would be legally supported by a National Service Act.
The Conservatives pointed to Sweden’s similar scheme, noting that “80% of young people completing national service said they would recommend it to their peers.”
Labour criticized the proposal as another unfunded Tory policy, alongside their unfinanced tax cut promises.
A Labour spokesperson said, “This is another desperate, £2.5bn 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… rebuild Britain with Labour.”
The Conservatives stated that the scheme would be part-funded through a £1bn tax avoidance clampdown and £1.5bn from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
David Cameron had outlined a similar plan in 2010 for a special youth program for 16-year-olds, aimed at ending a “pointless waste of potential” among teenagers, but it never materialized.
Sunak faced accusations of hypocrisy over this scheme.
In January, he criticized the chief of the general staff, Sir Patrick Sanders, for suggesting the UK might need a citizen army to combat Putin.
Sunak’s spokesman stated at the time that he did not support Sanders’ comments and insisted there would be no return to national service, which was abolished in 1960.
Labour insiders also accused the Conservatives of making 18-year-olds address issues caused by the government, such as bolstering military numbers, aiding the NHS, and repairing infrastructure.
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