August M
As talk of war readiness grows louder, it is public resistance rather than military policy that is drawing attention. Polling suggests many young people are unwilling to fight, even in extreme circumstances.
That reluctance has reshaped the debate around conscription, an idea ministers insist is not on the table.
Reluctance to fight
A YouGov poll found that 38 percent of people under 40 said they would refuse to serve if a third world war broke out. Thirty percent said they would not fight even if Britain faced an “imminent invasion”.
The findings highlight a sharp gap between historic expectations of service and modern public attitudes, particularly among younger generations.
Despite the figures, the government has sought to downplay concerns that compulsory service could return, reports LADbible.
Government position
Keir Starmer said in March that “nobody is talking about conscription”, stressing that the idea was not being considered by his government.
He has instead committed to increasing national security spending to five percent of GDP over the next decade, describing it as an investment “not seen since 1945”.
Senior military figures have echoed that position, while acknowledging growing instability abroad.
Military pressures
Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Defence Staff, said he “cannot see conscription returning in the short term” and confirmed there were “no plans” to introduce it.
However, he warned that “the situation in the world may deteriorate very significantly”, a comment that has fuelled public speculation.
Britain’s shrinking number of trained soldiers has also raised concerns among defence experts about readiness for a large-scale conflict, notes LADbible.
What conscription means
Conscription is typically introduced when armed forces cannot recruit enough volunteers. In the UK, it was first brought in before World War II, initially applying to single men aged 20 to 22.
The policy later expanded during the war, though exemptions were made for those deemed medically unfit or working in essential civilian roles.
Wider global backdrop
The renewed focus comes amid rising international tensions. Conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Palestine, remain unresolved.
The EU has also frozen £184bn in Russian assets, while peace talks between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin remain stalled.
Sources: LADBIBLE, YouGov
