|
|
Post by northwestman on May 26, 2024 22:44:25 GMT 1
www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/26/rishi-sunaks-national-service-pledge-is-bonkers-says-ex-military-chiefBritain’s armed forces need more money not untrained teenage volunteers, former military leaders and Tory figures have said in a new blow to the Conservatives’ faltering election campaign. Within hours of being announced, Rishi Sunak’s election pledge to bring back military service for 18-year-olds was rubbished by army chiefs and a former Conservative defence secretary. The pledge was launched just two days after the defence minister Andrew Murrison said that the government had no plans for national service in “any form” because it would do more harm than good. In an answer to a written parliamentary question, Murrison said placing “potentially unwilling” recruits with professional soldiers “could damage morale, recruitment and retention and would consume professional military and naval resources”. He added that if, on the other hand, temporary recruits were kept separate “it would be difficult to find a proper and meaningful role for them, potentially harming motivation and discipline”. This scheme is clearly designed to appeal to Tory voters who are thinking of switching to Reform. A very cynical ploy, but expect more of this nonsense to appease the right wing. Perhaps Sunak could include in his manifesto a commitment to set up a referendum on whether to restore the death penalty!
|
|
|
|
Post by zenfootball2 on May 27, 2024 10:58:24 GMT 1
www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/26/rishi-sunaks-national-service-pledge-is-bonkers-says-ex-military-chiefBritain’s armed forces need more money not untrained teenage volunteers, former military leaders and Tory figures have said in a new blow to the Conservatives’ faltering election campaign. Within hours of being announced, Rishi Sunak’s election pledge to bring back military service for 18-year-olds was rubbished by army chiefs and a former Conservative defence secretary. The pledge was launched just two days after the defence minister Andrew Murrison said that the government had no plans for national service in “any form” because it would do more harm than good. In an answer to a written parliamentary question, Murrison said placing “potentially unwilling” recruits with professional soldiers “could damage morale, recruitment and retention and would consume professional military and naval resources”. He added that if, on the other hand, temporary recruits were kept separate “it would be difficult to find a proper and meaningful role for them, potentially harming motivation and discipline”. This scheme is clearly designed to appeal to Tory voters who are thinking of switching to Reform. A very cynical ploy, but expect more of this nonsense to appease the right wing. Perhaps Sunak could include in his manifesto a commitment to set up a referendum on whether to restore the death penalty! I agree with all your points , as soon as I heard it I thought this is aimed and voters voting for the reform party, he has also managed to alienate most parents and anyone under 25, he has been a useless clueless PM . Unfortunately for us he joins a long list of PMs who have made a mess of things |
|
|
|
Post by northwestman on May 27, 2024 11:21:03 GMT 1
The subject of National Service was brought up on Yes Prime Minister.
It's spot on with the way in which surveys are conducted!
|
|
|
|
Post by mattmw on May 27, 2024 12:53:47 GMT 1
I've got a feeling this was one of those stories released by the Conservatives to stop people talking about the previous few days false steps in the campaign. Its clearly never a policy that hasn't been thought out and costed properly, and kind of overlooks that many elements of the scheme already exist through the national citizen Service www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/national-citizen-service |
|
|
|
Post by DiglisShrew on May 27, 2024 13:30:47 GMT 1
I've got a feeling this was one of those stories released by the Conservatives to stop people talking about the previous few days false steps in the campaign. Its clearly never a policy that hasn't been thought out and costed properly, and kind of overlooks that many elements of the scheme already exist through the national citizen Service www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/national-citizen-serviceYes - part of their damage limitation efforts - just a headline that might attract the “grey” vote . |
|
|
|
Post by staffordshrew on May 27, 2024 13:43:49 GMT 1
Laughable.
Why does a generation who didn't have to do it think they have the right to impose it
on this generation?
The 18 year olds will at least go out and vote now.
|
|
|
|
Post by northwestman on May 27, 2024 13:46:42 GMT 1
I've got a feeling this was one of those stories released by the Conservatives to stop people talking about the previous few days false steps in the campaign. Its clearly never a policy that hasn't been thought out and costed properly, and kind of overlooks that many elements of the scheme already exist through the national citizen Service www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/national-citizen-serviceYes - part of their damage limitation efforts - just a headline that might attract the “grey” vote . And scarily, that seems to be working. 75% of Telegraph readers think it's a good idea. Well they did until someone suggested that pensioners should be required to do the same for 1 year or not be given access to Triple Lock increases! |
|
|
|
Post by Worthingshrew on May 27, 2024 20:24:40 GMT 1
For a party that supposedly believes in freedom, to impose this on young people is laughable.
|
|
|
|
Post by Valerioch on May 27, 2024 20:28:35 GMT 1
Quite like the idea in principle. Most 18 year olds would do a bit of volunteering on 1 weekend a month for 1 year
As usual the mass over reaction will be by those who have only read a headline / only seen which party has proposed it
|
|
|
|
Post by staffordshrew on May 27, 2024 22:31:22 GMT 1
Those who think it"s a good idea should be prepared to set an example and commit to some volunteering, including Mr Sunak
|
|
|
|
Post by stuttgartershrew on May 29, 2024 7:57:14 GMT 1
Quite like the idea in principle. Most 18 year olds would do a bit of volunteering on 1 weekend a month for 1 year As usual the mass over reaction will be by those who have only read a headline / only seen which party has proposed it I tend to agree. I think it would be worth looking at further. At a time when we are seeing more and more people becoming isolated and the need to bring communities together I wouldn't simply pooh-pooh it out of hand. If it gets people out, learning new skills and meeting people they perhaps wouldn't normally do then I think it can have some benefit. Whether its feasible however, and to what degree would remain to be seen (as its not going to happen). |
|
|
|
Post by davycrockett on May 29, 2024 8:07:08 GMT 1
Quite like the idea in principle. Most 18 year olds would do a bit of volunteering on 1 weekend a month for 1 year As usual the mass over reaction will be by those who have only read a headline / only seen which party has proposed it Or realised it’s just click bait as likely to happen as sending refugees to Rwanda………. |
|
|
|
Post by northwestman on May 29, 2024 8:45:01 GMT 1
|
|
|
|
Post by wookeywombat on May 29, 2024 11:32:22 GMT 1
Oft quoted about National Service in bygone days and what participants learned.
"If it moves, salute it. If it doesn't move, whitewash it"
|
|
