Refusing mandatory National Service won't lead to prison, Home Secretary James Cleverly says

Nobody would go to jail for refusing to comply with National Service under a Conservative government, the Home Secretary has said.

In the Conservatives' first policy announcement of the general election campaign, Rishi Sunak said he would introduce a new form of mandatory National Service for 18-year-olds if his party wins the vote in July.

Talking to Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, James Cleverly said: "There's going to be no criminal sanctions, nobody's going to jail over this." He added that "nobody will be compelled to do the military element" but said those who do will be paid - while those who choose to volunteer will not be paid.

#generalelection #nationalservice #conservatives #jamescleverly

[benbow]

Why would anyone fight for a system that hates them?

[liammalarky]

Nationalise your water, not your youth.

[genesis]

1st national service would be voting the tories out.

[Jim]

When young people can't afford to live what do we do? Make them work for free. Idiotic.

[andyevans]

As someone who served I only have respect for the military. As a father I would never allow my son to be FORCED to serve.

[derekwhite]

Being forced to volunteer, isn't volunteering!

[Pikaling]

Anyone who thought about reintroducing National Service should enlist themselves.

[kellyannpage]

Old men sending young men to fight their stupid wars. Nothing changes. I pray that all young people REFUSE

[hg]

Forced to Volunteer to not be paid? Is that not just institutional slavery?

[Enigmatic..]

I will fight if this country gets invaded, but i will never fight in a foreign war.
I will protect my loved ones, country and home, not the government and their interests.

[blazzz]

So that's the 18-34year old vote totally gone from the Tories- bravo

[jimoconnor]

The youngsters should tell them it's against their human rights to be called up

[Ben.g]

No brit would want to fight for Britian because Britain isnt even British anymore.

[holdmyhand]

no one is going to allow their sons and daughters to fight for war criminals

[riffraff]

Restore national pride, vote a Tory out.

[flashback]

Eton and Harrow pupils working in a care home. . . yeh right

[danielbentham]

final nail in the coffin for these, I put a bet on 100-149 seats but won’t surprise me if they get below 100 now

[celliston]

Sugar coat it with ‘social cohesion’ but there is obviously a more sinister motive behind it.

[thefontofallgarbage]

Nobody rich will be made to serve, anyone that goes to public school will have bone spurs.

[philiphorrocks]

the torys are setting themselves on fire