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Former Defence Minister: UK mandatory national service plan is a misstep

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 27 May 2024, 9:03am
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. (Photo / AP)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. (Photo / AP)

Former Defence Minister: UK mandatory national service plan is a misstep

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 27 May 2024, 9:03am

The UK Prime Minister's proposed mandatory national service is being called a misstep.

If re-elected on July 4, the Conservative Party will make 18-year-olds participate for 12 months in a military placement or one weekend a month of community service.

Former New Zealand Defence Minister Wayne Mapp told Mike Hosking the roughly $5 billion plan is the wrong approach.

He doubts it will be a vote winner, and says they should focus on incentives to volunteer for service.

The Tories haven't said what they'll do if the compulsory service is not completed.

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