Discussions are swirling regarding conscription and who should be called up to fight should Britain get dragged into a potential world war. A YouGov survey carried out in 2025 found that 38% of under-40s polled said they would refuse to serve in the Armed Forces if a new world war broke out, and 30% would not serve if the UK faced "imminent invasion". The same poll found that 72% supported conscripting women as well as men.
Historical Precedent for Women's Conscription
In WW2, conscription began for men aged between 20 and 22 in 1939, up to six months before the war actually broke out. But by the end of 1941, this was expanded to all women and "childless widows" aged up to 30, as well as men aged up to 51, so there was already precedent for women being called up to the front line.
The UK Parliament website says: "In December 1941 Parliament passed a second National Service Act. It widened the scope of conscription still further by making all unmarried women and all childless widows between the ages of 20 and 30 liable to call-up."
"Men were now required to do some form of National Service up to the age of 60, which included military service for those under 51. The main reason was that there were not enough men volunteering for police and civilian defence work, or women for the auxiliary units of the Armed Forces."
How Britain Would Mobilise in a Conflict
Retired army chief Lord Dannatt says there would be a particular method of enlisting people to defend the country. He believes Britain would initially turn to army reservists, recalled former service personnel, and younger adults, should a significant conflict compel the Government to act, before considering the wider population.
Compulsory military service is not currently being contemplated, but this could change should tensions continue to escalate and ultimately boil over. Lord Dannatt, the former head of the British Army, said existing military personnel would be called upon first before any broader civilian conscription was considered.
He said: "I would expect to see the Army Reserve mobilised first, then Regular Reservists recalled to active service, and then His Majesty's Government would need to consider conscription, starting with 18-24-year-olds."
"Britain would not necessarily begin by compelling civilians with no military experience to join the armed forces."
"Reservists and former service personnel would provide an initial pool of people with military training, although recalling them at scale would present substantial logistical challenges."
