Bakers, farmers, doctors, nurses and engineers are among the essential professions that would likely be exempt from conscription if the UK implemented it in the event of a third world war. The prospect has been raised as global tensions persist over the Russia-Ukraine war, the Gaza conflict, and ongoing friction between Israel, the US and Iran.
Britons have grown anxious about the possibility of a major global conflict and what such a scenario might involve, including potential conscription. In March, then Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed the idea of conscription but warned that Europe must be "ready to fight" amid the increasing threat from Russia.
Historical conscription in the UK
What modern conscription might look like, however, remains unclear. Historical records show that in 1939, men aged 20 to 22 were initially called up under the Military Training Act for six months' service, months before the outbreak of war.
In 1939, plans for limited conscription for single men aged between 20 and 22 were also given parliamentary approval. The age bracket was then extended further to include women, and "all childless widows" aged 20 to 30 were conscripted; men up to 51 were called for service, and those aged 52 to 60 had to undertake some form of military duty. The expansion aimed to fill gaps in police, civilian defence work, and auxiliary units.
Government position on conscription
Now the Government has stressed it has no plans to reintroduce conscription. Instead, its focus is on building a professional Armed Forces made up of those who choose to serve. In the event of a large-scale conflict, some believe this could change.
Professor Joshua Bilton, a war studies expert at King's College London, said that if it were to be reintroduced, he doubts conscripts will be hauled onto the frontline.
Expert view on modern conscription
He said: "Most people will not end up in the Armed Forces; most people will go into industry or civil defence or other roles and sectors that support the war effort. If we look at both world wars, only about 25% of the male population of a certain age went into the Armed Forces, and even then it was often in non-combatant or support roles."
He also said that in the event of a third World War conscription, it is unlikely the authorities would shame men who refuse to contribute to the war effort. However, he added this might not stop "more covert and implicit" methods being deployed by some groups to pressure men into joining the war effort.
Britain has only ever had two periods of conscription: between 1916 and 1920 and between 1939 and 1960. Both periods coincided with the world wars and the years that followed.
