Even many who voted Yes seemed to be arguing against the army. The most-respected Yes case opened “I voted yes but national service does not need to be military service”, and No narrowly won a vote its own side's strongest case turned on the armed forces, not on the idea of service itself.
That Yes case pointed to conscientious objectors in other countries serving in social care and ambulance work. Others echoed it: one wanted refuse collection and hospital orderlies alongside military options, another civil service roles, with a jaunty aside to “Get them off their taxpayer-funded PlayStations”.
The most-respected No case came from an RAF veteran: “The Armed Forces are not a dumping ground for failed education or employment policy.” A second veteran recalled that serving members distrusted conscripts, since everyone beside them had volunteered. Their shared point was about trust under pressure.
Other No voters went at cost and effect. One called it “a massive artificial job creation scheme” and urged real jobs instead; another predicted the people who would benefit most would escape by citing anxiety or depression. Some No voters, though, liked civilian service or apprenticeships, so the two sides overlapped more than the result suggests.
The argument sits inside a wider one about youth inactivity and what the state owes or demands of the young. Voters on both sides agreed on the problem, and disagreed on whether compulsion is the tool.
49 Opinions
I voted yes but national service does not need to be military service. Countries like Germany and Austria had/have significant numbers of conscientious objectors serving as volunteers in social care, (non-emergency) ambulance services, volunteer fire brigades, and other very valuable services.
Yes, but national service should include other areas like refuse collection, hospital orderlies, street/park maintenance and the like as well as military options
Yes, although this should *not* be restricted to military service, but could include civil service roles, including those currently subcontracted to private businesses (e.g. traffic wardens). A short period of government employment, to include skill development could fill job gaps and increase social cohesion.
I voted yes which has surprised me but I think it can work if done right. Obviously we aren’t talking old style national service but if we could give the lost generations somewhere to focus, physical education, skills awareness training we could stop children from becoming life long unemployed. Yes there are going to be those with mental issues, have the professionals there maybe we can reduce MH statics at the same time. Radical yes but change is needed.
No. As an RAF veteran and engineer, I can tell you no regular wants someone beside them who does not want to be there. Trust, discipline and commitment are essential when lives depend on them. The Armed Forces are not a dumping ground for failed education or employment policy. Offer voluntary military service, apprenticeships and structured civilian programmes instead. Build motivation and skills; do not conscript unwilling young people to solve a political problem.
A heavily-caveated yes as a way to help these young people learn skills to help them for the future.
Yes. They should be doing something constructive with their time, not necessarily military service. It will benefit their mental health and self-worth, may unlock new skills and ambition.
Get them off their taxpayer-funded PlayStations
I believe removing them from their comfort zone and doing a watered down basic training for 6 months under military style discipline/structure would have an over all benefit for society. Those deemed of the right quality could be offered a route into the military or they can go into a social service for 18 months, be that environmental work or social work.
Yes let’s create another huge bureaucracy rather than letting an unfettered private sector create jobs and opportunities. The whole idea is a drain on resources so guess what “we have to raise taxes to pay for it” It’s nonsense. Our Political system is a failure. Substantially reduce the size of the State reduce taxes & declare war on State expenditure. Might need a revolution though as those in charge will not like it as it will work.