Rishi Sunak was met with laughter as he defended his “teenage Dad’s Army” National Service plan.
The humiliating chuckles came as the Prime Minister claimed the heavily-criticised idea would be “transformational” for youngsters. During a heated ITV debate with Keir Starmer, Mr Sunak was challenged by an audience member about the Government’s failure to deliver for young people.
Miles asked the PM: “What future can you offer my generation, and when will we become your priority?” Mr Sunak was forced to admit that he hadn’t done enough as PM, saying: “We have an enormous amount to be proud of as a country, but we do need to do more to make sure our young people like you get the opportunities that they deserve.
“So that’s why we will introduce a modern form of National Service.”
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ITV)
Within days of calling the snap General Election, 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.
But he was laughed at as he told the ITV audience: “I think it’s going to be transformational for young people in our country, giving them the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in life, fostering a culture of service in our society, bringing it together, but also strengthening our resilience and security for the future. And I think it’s going to be something that’s incredibly positive.“
Mr Starmer mocked the idea, saying: “It’s not thought through, it’s not sensible, it’s desperate.” He dismissed it as “teenage Dad’s Army” and told the PM: “You”ve been in power for 14 years, and after 14 years, with a few weeks to go before the election, they come up with a desperate idea.
“If it’s such a brilliant idea, why for 14 years has your Government not lifted a finger to do it? It’s a desperate attempt now the election’s being called.”
Senior military figures and experts voiced doubts about Mr Sunak’s idea. Admiral Adam West, former Chief of the Naval Staff, branded the plan “bonkers”, telling The Guardian: “I’m delighted if more young people become aware of defence and are involved … but this idea is basically bonkers. “We need to spend more on defence, and – by doing what he’s suggesting – money will be sucked out of defence.”
Meanwhile Richard Dannatt, former Chief of the General Staff, dismissed it as “electoral opportunism”. He said: “The costs of this would be considerable in terms of trainers and infrastructure. This task cannot just be imposed on the armed forces as an extra thing to do.”