Sunak’s national service may end up backfiring
Spectator (UK)May 31
UK Conservative Govt. Announces National Service Election Pledge
Above: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty attend a Conservative general election campaign event in Stanmore, on May 26, 2024 in London, England. Image copyright: Chris J Ratcliffe - WPA Pool/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
The UK's Conservative Government has announced that, if they win July 4's general election, they will reintroduce mandatory National Service for 18-year-olds beginning in Sept. 2025.
Under the intended plan, young adults will be given a choice of either a full-time placement with the armed forces or a weekend a month volunteering — potentially with police, fire, health services, and other organizations — over the span of a year.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Sunak's National Service is a win-win for the UK — allowing young people to gain vital experiences while contributing to key sectors of society. While maybe too little too late for the Tories, the announcement is a sign that the UK is beginning to wake up to the urgent need for national reform and healing.
Establishment-critical narrative
After cutting funding to Cameron's National Citizen Service by two-thirds, Sunak and the Tories have now chosen to revive an archaic policy idea in a desperate bid to maintain their position in government. In a narrow-minded, short-term move aimed at holding onto power, the Tories have managed to only further alienate younger voters whose election influence will only continue to grow in the years to come.