Furious Tories have lashed out at “desperate” Rishi Sunak in a series of scathing WhatsApp messages about the controversial National Service plan.
Incensed right wingers said the PM “must be stopped” as they dismissed the plan as a gimmick. The Mirror has seen messages sent to regional WhatsApp groups for members of activist group the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO). They warn that Mr Sunak’s attempt to woo voters make him look “out of touch” and dismiss the unexpected policy as a “stunt”.
Last week the PM announced that all 18-year-olds will be forced to take part in his proposed new programme. Young people would be given a choice between a full-time placement in the armed forces for 12 months or spending one weekend a month for a year “volunteering,” in their community.
It came just days after MOD minister Andrew Murrison said the Government wasn’t considering bringing back National Service. One CDO member wrote: “What it does smack of is that Sunak is out of ideas and reeks of desperation imo.” And another responded: “IMO the idea of National Service was NOT even on the cards last week. However the think tank came up with this vote winning idea NOT to say that it it is ever going to happen. Sorry just a pre election stunt.”
In a further message, a group member dubbed it a “freak power control policy” and went on: “Honestly, I don’t think Rishi could have said anything else more damaging.” Another said: “Rishi needs to be stopped, he has not one ounce of sense.”
And in another scathing message a group member wrote: “I’m all for instilling patriotism and duty in citizens of all ages. But this wouldn’t do that. It’s forcing them to work as police officers and paramedics on their days off. Ludicrous that it’s billed as national service.
“And I for one don’t want an 18 year old treating me when I’ve had a stroke just because he’s on national work experience service.”
And CDO supporter said in an irate message: “I agree he’s completely out of touch and surrounded it would seem with equally out of touch advisors – everything just seems like a gimmick with no strategy behind it other than to try to appear relevant.”
It comes after Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker attempted to distance himself from the policy, saying it had been “sprung” on candidates without consultation. Mr Baker wrote on Twitter /X that the move isn’t Government policy which had been backed by ministers. He said: “I don’t like to be pedantic but a Government policy would have been developed by ministers on the advice of officials and collectively agreed. I would have had a say on behalf of NI. But this proposal was developed by a political adviser or advisers and sprung on candidates, some of whom are relevant ministers.”
In a blog post the Wycombe MP – who is defending a majority of less than 5,000 – distanced himself further from the plan, stating: “Candidates are not involved and even relevant secretaries of state are taken by surprise when policy is announced. It is perhaps the worst aspect of the democratic process and I have no reason to think it is not common to the Labour party.
“In that context, before any more policy is announced, I want to be absolutely clear where I stand for the electors of Wycombe: I am for liberty under the rule of law and Parliamentary democracy.” He went on: “My team and I continue to prepare for a full and robust campaign in Wycombe. Alas that we do not know what will be in the manifesto. I have no doubt it will contain measures of which I disapprove.”
In the latest twist Tory minister Anne- Marie Trevelyan refused to rule out fining parents if their adult kids don’t attend. Quizzed if mums and dads could face fines, she said: “I’m not going to write the detailed policy now. That’s what a royal commission programme of works will be for.”