An expert has explained what a new conscription policy might look like.
An expert has given his thoughts on conscription. (Image: Getty)
One particular group of Brits could be targeted for conscription as others face fines for not complying, an expert has warned. Fears that the UK may need to introduce compulsory military service have surged in recent weeks amid escalating threats from Russia. One of Putin’s closest allies cautioned that he could not “100% exclude” the possibility of “semi-military” action against British installations, after the Armed Forces provided Volodymyr Zelensky’s troops with the blueprints to produce their own Storm Shadow missiles.
A UK security source has acknowledged that Russia is “preparing something”, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham going so far as to suggest a Russian attack is “inevitable”. This follows a direct threat to London issued by Putin’s regime.
If a conflict breaks out, the UK may be forced to introduce conscription to bolster its Armed Forces, particularly after a retired Army major warned the military is in its weakest state for over 70 years.
Conscription is when a government imposes mandatory enlistment of citizens into military service. Over the past 126 years, there have been only two instances of conscription in the UK.
The first ran between 1916 and 1920, and the second spanned from 1939 to 1960. Author and historian David Swift suggested a new conscription policy would likely exclude workers in two particular sectors.
There could be fines for people who don’t comply. (Image: Getty)
Speaking to the Express, he said: “Today, since there is such an urgent need to rebuild Britain’s defence industries and industrial capacity, I would expect that people in these important occupations would be exempt.
“Or even that people could be ‘conscripted’ into working in these industries.”
He also gave an indication of which group could be first to face conscription, adding: “Military conscription would target unemployed graduates – this would be very popular with lots of people.”
Mr Swift detailed the penalties that could be imposed on Brits who fail to comply with a conscription order. he suggested that fines, rather than custodial sentences, would likely be handed to those who refuse to register.
He explained: “I imagine it would be fines rather than imprisonment or anything like that, due to lack of prison capacity, difficulty enforcing and lack of legitimacy, and that ‘conscription’, if introduced, would be very much focused around monetary reward.”
Mr Swift proposed that Britain might mirror Greece’s approach. In Greece, failing to register resulted in a €6,000 (£5213.19) fine, though in 2019 the country contemplated abolishing the penalty altogether.
In 2024, former British Army chief General Sir Patrick Sanders called on the UK to prepare for “national mobilisation” and a “citizen army” in light of the threat posed by Russia.
However, successive UK governments have instead maintained that a highly skilled, professional volunteer armed force remains the most effective means of defending the country.