The UK could step up preparation for a potential World War Three following recent threats from Vladimir Putin. There are increasing concerns the Russian President could order a strike on critical British infrastructure which could trigger a wider conflict.
Conscription in British History
The UK first introduced conscription through the Military Service Act in January 1916. In 1939, six months before the outbreak of the Second World War, conscription was extended to all men aged between 20 and 22.
There are now indicators about what would happen if the UK went to war again and needed to introduce conscription or mandatory military service.
Current Tensions and Threats
Last year, the UK government told people to prepare for war on British soil and tensions are continuing to ramp up as the war between Russia and Ukraine rages on. Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Kyiv this week with security chiefs put on high alert for a potential strike targeting him or key military sites.
The UK is continuing to support Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia has warned of consequent attacks on its defence and security. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, condemned a new UK-Ukraine agreement where Britain handed over technical blueprints for Storm Shadow cruise missile components.
Andrei Fedorov, a prominent adviser to Vladimir Putin, warned that Moscow would not rule out "semi-military action" against UK manufacturing facilities. Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in London has warned that the UK's involvement in the war would "inevitably carry consequences".
Government Response and Historical Precedent
However, Burnham has brushed off the warnings as "outrageous threats". He reaffirmed the UK's support of Ukraine in their ongoing conflict against Russia.
On conscription, the UK Parliament website states: "During the spring of 1939, the deteriorating international situation forced the British government under Neville Chamberlain to consider preparations for a possible war against Nazi Germany. Plans for limited conscription applying to single men aged between 20 and 22 were given parliamentary approval in the Military Training Act in May 1939. This required men to undertake six months' military training, and some 240,000 registered for service."
It adds: "On the day Britain declared war on Germany, 3 September 1939, Parliament immediately passed a more wide-reaching measure. The National Service (Armed Forces) Act imposed conscription on all males aged between 18 and 41 who had to register for service."
Meanwhile, the only men who weren't called up were those who were too unfit to do so, as well as those who worked in industries such as baking, farming and medicine. By the end of 1941, women and childless widows between the ages of 20 and 30 were also called up alongside men aged up to 51.
So what do you think? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comments section.
