Voices: Independent readers share their views on conscription – from ‘necessary evil’ to ‘waste of time’
Sir Alex Younger’s warning that Britain is no longer prepared for war has sparked intense debate about the future of defence and national service in the UK.
The former MI6 chief told Independent TV that the UK has “largely dismantled” its military and industrial base, and must urgently rebuild both its capabilities and culture of national resilience in the face of rising global threats from Russia and beyond.
When we asked for your views, many agreed that the British military has been left hollowed out by decades of underinvestment, with some recalling how training areas and barracks were gradually closed, leaving the Army overstretched and under-resourced.
Concerns were raised about the current state of recruitment and a reliance on privatised systems that “don’t work.”
Others argued that if national service is to return, it should be voluntary and offer real benefits, including education, citizenship, or healthcare incentives, while some suggested expanding it beyond the military into civic roles.
But scepticism remained, particularly over trust in political leadership and whether today’s Britain – more diverse, more individualistic – could or should recreate the spirit of past conscription.
Here’s what you had to say:
I’m almost 80 and I haven’t worn the Queen’s (or King’s) uniform since I went to ATP, but even then it was clear that the UK was simply not taking its military seriously enough.
Once upon a time, there were lots of camps and barracks around the country with training areas. Over my time in service, they were closed, and it was getting harder and harder to get accommodation or training areas.
As a military historian, I know that in WW1 the troops were under canvas because there was no accommodation, and that private estates had to be taken over for training areas. I doubt if there is any thought of being able to do that today.
Equipment, thanks to BAE, does not come on stream, and the profession of soldiering requires highly skilled technocrats. With the army at about 70,000, we don’t have the NCOs to do the training which is necessary.
Most units are under-recruited by 25 per cent or more, and recruitment has been privatised and doesn’t work. This all needs sorting before you can even think of National Service.
Edward Andrews
National Service wouldn’t affect me, so it is not my place to say. This question needs to be asked of younger people. There are clear benefits to service in both building character and life experiences.
