Does anyone think there's a real chance of conscription?

[4babycubsx]

I keep hearing the word bandied around and it's starting to turn me into a conspiracy theorist! I have two boys of 'fighting age' (I've two girls too but I assume they won't be first) I don't want any of my children to be sent to war especially someone else's war! You can bet your life Starmers kids won't be sent!

No

Who's talking about conscription? I haven't heard it mentioned since Sunak's desperate attempt to be popular with Reform voters, and even then conscription to the Army wasn't really what he meant.

Nope, mostly because the armed forces fon’t want it.

I doubt it. War has changed now. They don't need hoards of young men to sacrifice in the trenches. They need people that know what they are doing.

No.

Who's bandying it around and in what context?

I don't think so now, but if Russia makes an overt move on a NATO country then who can say? I have to admit, I'm worried for my DS and DBro. DH turns 40 this year so he's out of it, but DS is 15 and DBro is early-mid 30's.

I think you have national service and conscription mixed up.

So has there been an official announcement or have people been watching too many war films? Or reading dodgy newspapers?

Of course not.

Costs too much unless there is an full scale war.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/04/mod-urgently-recalls-120000-pieces-of-military-body-armour-after-cracks-found
Even the guns and amo used to train would be a large outlay as I am guessing the armed forces dont have a mass stock pile.

I think in a situation where we were physically attacked it would be required but given the track record of the countries that we could expect to attack us we'd be fighting for our lives so better to do it with a weapon and training.

I don't, but I think OP does.

Did you start this thread to have a dig about Starmer on a policy he's never said he's pursuing??

I haven't seen anyone say we will have it, I just keep seeing the word, for example on sky news:
"The UK is not considering introducing conscription to ready the country for a potential war - but decisions may be needed in the future to respond to the "new reality" we are now living in, a minister has told Sky News."

The mirror:
"UK must consider conscription NOW to be ready for war with Russia, warn ex-Army chiefs"

Whilst I understand these are only chip paper stories, the word just fills me with fear, especially when they constantly talk about war atm :(

Maybe if the war was here and there was full on tanks, drones and stuff but then there would be a lot more to worry about as well

No, it's a lot more simple than that, I'm new to mn and thought it was somewhere I could get honest opinions about things with no judgement lol.

I don’t know why the press aren’t restricted because they’re literally stirring so much shit. They just keep going on and on about war and it get back to each “leader” and puts this image out there that they each want a war. I mean if I’m Putin and I’m presented with the UK’s newspapers talking about readying for war, I’m going to think the UK wants war with me. So just wish The Sun and others would just shut the fuck up frankly…(and yeah free speech blah blah but they talk shit don’t they, so that’s just an easy excuse)

I'd do anything to stop mine going. Young people are more aware now.

There's no plan for conscription in the UK. What some defence-type people are talking about is being prepared for a potential European war in 5-10yrs time when Russia has had time to re-arm itself and could possibly invade another country like Poland or a Baltic country.

Personally I think the chances of Russia doing that are very small. But all countries in Europe including us are going to spend a lot more on defence in the coming years to try and deter Russia from even thinking about it.

So conscription if it ever happened would affect boys who are kids at the moment. But like I say I think it's v unlikely to ever be needed.

Then don't worry about conscription.

When government statements to the press talk about Conscription in 3, 6 9 months worry about it then. In the meantime don't give it a second thought. Certainly don't give it a third or fourth thought where you think you're DC will be sacrificed for KS's DC.

Cos that's just mental.

Considering the obesity level of the average UK adult, is there even a point in conscription?

No.
But I can see a heavy recruitment campaign coming.

No

No of course not.

Excellent work!