Rishi Sunak has said he will introduce a new form of mandatory National Service for young people if the Conservatives win the general election.
In the first new policy announcement of the campaign, the prime minister has unveiled a plan that would see 18-year-olds given the choice of a full-time military placement for 12 months or a scheme to volunteer for one weekend a month for a year.
The placement would be selective - with tests used to decide who is eligible - and involve working with the armed forces or in cyber defence.
The voluntary option would see young people spending 25 days with organisations such as the police, the fire service, the NHS, or charities that work with older isolated people.
Mr Sunak said the new model would provide "life-changing opportunities for young people" and allow them to learn "real world skills".
Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the PM said: "To those who complain that making it mandatory is unreasonable, I say: citizenship brings with it obligations as well as rights. Being British is about more than just the queue you join at passport control."
The Tory party has also suggested National Service would cut crime, saying research shows volunteering can increase social responsibility.
The specifics of the plan would be established through a new Royal Commission - a type of advisory committee set up to investigate significant issues.
@BrightDiplomacyNo Labels4mos4MO
So you turn 18. You're in college. You have a weekend job. Maybe as part of your course you have to do work experience. Where is the spare time for volunteer work?
@F0reignP0licyAverySocialist4mos4MO
Yep. The idea that 18 yr olds aren't doing anything meaningful with their lives is nonsense. Sure there will be kids who are a bit lost but that's where things like The Princes Trust come in.
@LegislativeSwiftLibertarian4mos4MO
Weird how those that seem to be in favour of national service seem to be the ones that'd never have to do it.
@SmeltZachForward4mos4MO
Same people that enjoyed all the benefits of EU membership and deprived young people of having the same. There’s a theme here…
@LegislationSnailDemocrat4mos4MO
It's the worst start to a campaign ever. Like a sketch with a man stepping on rakes one after another.
@FreeTradeZachSocialist4mos4MO
"His aides said the move was not part of an attempt to reset his campaign after a first week plagued by missteps and high-level resignation announcements"
@LobbyistDuckDemocrat4mos4MO
this is starting to sound too weird… First he jumps out of bed and out into deluvian rain to announce a totally impulsive and frankly moronic GE timeline, and now 4 days in he’s saying they want everyone to serve? hmm…
A great way to encourage every young person to register to vote and decide their own future!
@IngeniousSnipeNo Labels4mos4MO
The theory that Sunak is deliberately trying to lose this campaign, seems to be getting more and more traction.
@ISIDEWITH4mos4MO
@ISIDEWITH4mos4MO
@ISIDEWITH4mos4MO
@ISIDEWITH4mos4MO
@ISIDEWITH4mos4MO
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