National Service might be a good idea in some countries in certain contexts and with specific parameters, but here it’s a non-starter.
For a start it will cost billions to implement (money we’re getting from where exactly?). And what will we get for that? A load of 18 year olds doing things they don’t want to do, a handful of which will probably cause more harm than good through disruption. The conscientious ones that wanted to give it a go would have to be babysat by the armed forces or whoever they’re volunteering for. These are people with limited skills and zero experience. Can you imagine the time it is going to take from qualified staff to do that?
Then you have the idea of enforcement. If people don’t do it, what then? A fine? In which case it just becomes yet another thing to add to the list of things separating rich and poor people in this country.
And finally, this is just adding an extra obstacle that young people have to navigate that older people never did. You’re taking time away from them that can be used for more value-add pursuits. Older people didn’t have to deal with Brexit, had free or cheaper university, didn’t get set back by COVID, have to navigate impossible house prices, drop in the real-terms value of wages… the Tories seem hellbent on making life as hard as possible for the younger generations who already have a hell of a lot to overcome to have anything resembling a successful life.
In short it’s another stupid idea from a fundamentally stupid party. It will satisfy the usual tub thumping segment of society who likes the sound of things like this without ever actually thinking them through.
