Do you like the idea of introducing national service for 18-year-olds?

Polls

29th May 2024

The two men hoping to become prime minister after the 4 July general election have been setting out their ideas to appeal to voters.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Conservative Party say they’ll bring back National Service for school leavers if they win the election.

Under the plan, 18-year-olds in the UK would have to either complete a full year in the military, or spend one weekend per month for 12 months helping non-military organisations, like the police or the NHS.

There would be 30,000 places available for the “best and brightest” teenagers to apply for the military option.

Mr Sunak says the scheme would give young people a “renewed sense of pride in our country”, while Home Secretary James Cleverly told the BBC: “We want to get back to a situation where young people are mixing with people in different areas, different economic groups, different religions.”

Their biggest rivals in the election, Labour, say they would lower the voting age in England from 18 to 16, like it is in Wales and Scotland. Labour’s leader, Sir Keir Starmer, said: “If you can work, if you can pay tax, if you can serve in your armed forces, then you ought to be able to vote.”

Do you like the idea of introducing national service for 18-year-olds?

We launched the First News Children’s Party to give young people a voice during this general election year.

You can read more and find out how you can get involved in the Children’s Party here.

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poopyman2 · 5 months ago

No because 18 year olds should be able to do what they want