As France becomes the latest European nation to bring back mandatory military service, a worrying question has emerged: could the UK be next to join the bandwagon amid the growing threat from Russia? The prospect of a major European heavyweight – and one just across the Channel – reinstating conscription feels uncomfortably close to home, reports The Metro.
Since 1963, compulsory military service has been a thing of the past in Britain – a relic of a different era. Attitudes towards the practice have also plummeted. Reintroducing it would be a major political step, and one that is unlikely to happen under the current Labour government.
Europe rearms at Cold War pace
But as Europe rearms at a pace unseen since the Cold War, some see conscription as an answer to the UK’s needs in preparation for a long war in the next decade. France’s President Emmanuel Macron stressed the “need to prepare the nation for growing threats” as he announced the return of mandatory service.
Under Macron’s plan, volunteers will see “serious” combat training to “reaffirm the importance of preparing the nation and its morale to face growing threats”. However, they will not be sent to the frontline in Ukraine. The aim is to beef up the country’s military to 3,000 in the first year – and up to 50,000 later on.
When did Britain scrap conscription and why?
The UK has only had conscription during two periods in the 20th century – from 1916 to 1920, and from 1939 to 1960. The practice was deemed less effective and too expensive at a time when the country suffered from mass labour shortages. 1963 marked the end of an era, when the last conscripted serviceman was discharged.
Could conscription return to Britain?
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now almost into its fourth year, the idea of bringing back conscription always evoked a resounding “no” from Army and government officials. But the changing security situation on the continent seems to be pushing for further debate.
However, some defence experts argue that conscription would actually undermine the expansion of the UK’s armed forces in the short-to-medium term. A RUSI report said that given current capacity, “opening the floodgates to national service would impact on the training of the far more ready regular and reserve forces that the UK needs.”
During wartime in 1942, British men aged 18 to 51 and British women aged 20 to 30 were called up (Image: Getty)
What was the UK’s age for conscription?
During wartime in 1942, British men aged 18 to 51 and British women aged 20 to 30 were called up, with some exceptions. From 1949, healthy men from 17 to 21 were requested to serve for 18 months and stay on the reserve list for four years. National Service was gradually phased out from 1957.
European nations bolster military capabilities
France is not alone in strengthening its military. Latvia and Croatia are the two most recent EU countries to reintroduce mandatory service, while Poland is preparing large-scale military training for every adult male. Germany is also redoubling efforts to attract recruits. In total, 10 EU countries now have compulsory military service.
As the threat from Russia looms large, the question of whether the UK will be forced to follow suit and reintroduce conscription remains a troubling one. While it seems unlikely under the current government, the rapidly shifting security landscape in Europe means that nothing can be ruled out.
