Bring back National Service...

[NotAllThere]

Curiously I read that whilst hearing the Dead Ringers Liz Truss vocalise it. .

I KNOW!

• Sir Humphrey Appleby : [demonstrating how public surveys can reach opposite conclusions] Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the rise in crime among teenagers?
  
  Bernard Woolley : Yes.
  
  Sir Humphrey Appleby : Do you think there is lack of discipline and vigorous training in our Comprehensive Schools?
  
  Bernard Woolley : Yes.
  
  Sir Humphrey Appleby : Do you think young people welcome some structure and leadership in their lives?
  
  Bernard Woolley : Yes.
  
  Sir Humphrey Appleby : Do they respond to a challenge?
  
  Bernard Woolley : Yes.
  
  Sir Humphrey Appleby : Might you be in favour of reintroducing National Service?
  
  Bernard Woolley : Er, I might be.
  
  Sir Humphrey Appleby : Yes or no?
  
  Bernard Woolley : Yes.
  
  Sir Humphrey Appleby : Of course, after all you've said you can't say no to that. On the other hand, the surveys can reach opposite conclusions.
  
  [survey two]
  
  Sir Humphrey Appleby : Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the danger of war?
  
  Bernard Woolley : Yes.
  
  Sir Humphrey Appleby : Are you unhappy about the growth of armaments?
  
  Bernard Woolley : Yes.
  
  Sir Humphrey Appleby : Do you think there's a danger in giving young people guns and teaching them how to kill?
  
  Bernard Woolley : Yes.
  
  Sir Humphrey Appleby : Do you think it's wrong to force people to take arms against their will?
  
  Bernard Woolley : Yes.
  
  Sir Humphrey Appleby : Would you oppose the reintroduction of conscription?
  
  Bernard Woolley : Yes.
  
  [does a double-take]
  
  Sir Humphrey Appleby : There you are, Bernard. The perfectly balanced sample.

[sadkingbilly]

[NotAllThere]

Under 12 or on puberty blockers.

[hobnob]

Sunak announced this plan on Saturday (25th May).

Last Thursday (23rd May), there was an answer from the MoD to a similar question:
National Service: National Security: 23 May 2024: Hansard Written Answers - TheyWorkForYou

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the reintroduction of national service on national security.

Answer:

The Government has no current plans to reintroduce National Service. Since 1963, when the last national servicemen were discharged, it has been the policy of successive Governments that the best way of providing for the defence of our country is by maintaining professional Armed Forces staffed by volunteers. The demanding, increasingly technical, nature of defence today is such that we require highly trained, professional men and women in our Regular and Reserve Armed Forces, fully committed to giving their best in defending our country and its allies.

If potentially unwilling National Service recruits were to be obliged to serve alongside the professional men and women of our Armed Forces, it could damage morale, recruitment and retention and would consume professional military and naval resources. If, on the other hand, National Service recruits were kept in separate units, it would be difficult to find a proper and meaningful role for them, potentially harming motivation and discipline. For all these reasons, there are no current plans for the restoration of any form of National Service.

But hey, I'm sure Malvolio will be along in a minute to tell us that Sunak doesn't rush into announcements like this, and it was all carefully planned out in advance...