Defence chiefs have confirmed plans for the 'mass mobilisation' of civilians in the event of a large-scale war, though conscription is not currently being considered. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is drawing up a strategy to prepare Britain for potential attacks on home soil amid rising tensions with Russia.
Lieutenant General Sir Charles Collins, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, stated that national service is not on the table 'at the moment'. Instead, senior defence officials are exploring ways to increase the number of regular troops, reservists, and civilian volunteers who would be encouraged to assist in a conflict. The UK has only used conscription twice in the modern era: from 1916 to 1920 and from 1939 to 1960.
If conscription were ever reintroduced, historical precedent from the Second World War suggests certain jobs would be exempt. Those in key industries deemed too important to be conscripted included bakers, farmers, doctors or nurses, and engineers. Conscientious objectors were sent to tribunals and assigned non-combatant roles that aided the war effort in other ways.
The National Service (Armed Forces) Act imposed conscription on all males aged 18 to 41, though those medically unfit were exempt. Calls for reintroduction have increased amid tensions with Russia and after several European nations, including Germany and France, have moved to bring back forms of military service.
