Is National Service A GOOD THING?

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plans for all 18-year-olds has left the country divided

- CHER HEASMER

Turning 18 is an exciting milestone, which brings with it things that you can legally do – buy alcohol, vote, even get a tattoo. But soon it could mean a year of compulsory National Service too.

Just recently the Conservatives announced plans for all 18-year-olds to take part in a form of National Service if they win the General Election next month. National Service was mandatory for British men aged between 17 and 21 in 1949, before ending in 1960. It involved 18 months of military training and spending four years on a reserve list, meaning they could be called up to fight at short notice.

The new proposed scheme will differ to that of the past, though, and will be made up of two programmes for 18-year-olds to choose from – military training or community volunteering with the NHS, fire, ambulance or rescue services.

While many praised the Prime Minister’s intentions, others were quick to criticise them. We speak to two mums with very different views…

‘THEY’LL GAIN VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS’

Michelle Rowley, 45, lives in Cheshire with her husband and children, aged from 12 to 14.

If called for National Service, I’d be encouraging my children to see that it is a great opportunity and one they should be enthusiastic about taking up. Why? Because 12 months of military training after leaving school or college will give them valuable life skills and a good opportunity to make new friends and discover new strengths. They shouldn’t see it as a year lost, or a year delaying getting them on a career ladder of their choosing, but one in which they’ll gain experiences that they wouldn’t get sat at home.

It will also mean that at 19 they can head out into the world to pursue their dreams, with some life experience behind them. I wouldn’t want to mislead them into believing it would be undemanding, but it is only a year.