• MonsterMonster@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    The realistic prospect of an armed conflict with Russia is what has changed.

    Whether we cannot afford it is irrelevant, we may have no choice. We couldn’t afford it in 1939 and it wasn’t long ago that we’d only finished paying for our WW2 debts.

    Unless something drastic happens that Putin comes to his senses we are in most likelihood heading for very dark times.

    We’re not the only country considering a return to National Service/Conscription.

    • frankPodmore@slrpnk.net
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      6 months ago

      Which is exactly why the army has been asking for more funding, which it actually needs. It doesn’t want conscription, which it recognises would be a waste of resources.

      Other countries considering a bad idea doesn’t make it a good idea.

    • thehatfox@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      The military part of the proposed new national service is going to be optional however, those “conscripted” can choose a civilian volunteering path instead. So I’m not sure how this scheme would help with the threat of future conflict when nobody chooses the military option.

      It’s a ridiculous gimmick to distract from the Tories failures in areas people do care about.

      • MonsterMonster@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        Yes you certainly have.

        For clarity, I have not stated any excuse whatsoever, certainly not for Tories, but rather a reflection on where we are at present, where we could possibly be in the future and what has happened previously.

    • Flax@feddit.uk
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      6 months ago

      Tbh as much as this annoys me, if it became mandatory I wouldn’t really resist it. Because I can see the necessity of it, and it could easily do me some good.