A petition calling on the Government to rule out military conscription in the UK is close to reaching another major milestone. The campaign, titled “No military conscription”, has already passed the 1,000 and 1,500 signature marks and is now on the verge of reaching 2,000. At the time of writing, 1,959 people have signed it, leaving the campaign just 41 signatures short of its latest milestone.
Petition addressed to PM and Defence Secretary
The petition is addressed to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence. It calls on the Government to rule out any future introduction of conscription in the UK, including mandatory national service or registration. Campaigners also want the rights of conscientious objectors to be upheld and protected, including people who refuse to participate in the armed forces on grounds of conscience.
The petition was created by the UK working group for International Conscientious Objectors' Day. The group is a coalition of 13 British peace and faith organisations that campaign against military conscription and mandatory national service. It also organises events and campaigns around International Conscientious Objectors' Day, which takes place on May 15 each year.
Campaigners cite growing concerns
Those behind the petition say they have become increasingly concerned by the debate around whether some form of compulsory service could be introduced in Britain. Explaining why they launched the campaign, the group said: “For the first time in generations, the threat of conscription seems very real. We must act now to oppose it.”
It added: “With heightened debate around insecurity, we are hearing growing calls for the re-introduction of some form of compulsory national service.” For conscription to be introduced in the UK, Parliament would need to pass a new law. The campaigners say this could involve mandatory registration of young people or some form of compulsory national service.
Arguments against conscription
Organisers argue that military service should remain a choice and that people should not be forced to join the armed forces. The petition states: “We reject conscription as a moral affront and an attack on human rights. It deprives young people of choices and opportunity at a vital time in their lives.”
Campaigners have also raised concerns about how much a system of compulsory service could cost. They said: “To force military service on the population would involve a colossal waste of funds. During a cost of living crisis these resources are desperately needed elsewhere.”
The group instead wants peaceful and cooperative approaches to be used to resolve conflicts. It added: “Joining the armed forces is a political and moral choice that should never be forced on anyone. As a matter of urgency, the government must rule out reintroducing military conscription in the UK!”
Next steps for the campaign
Organisers say the petition will eventually be handed in to both 10 Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence. People signing the campaign have also been able to leave comments explaining their reasons for supporting it. One person wrote: “Armed service should be a choice, conscription is basically slavery.”
