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!

I’m not worried , we would just refuse. My family has some very specific religious beliefs that would mean we are all unable to participate in any kind of war related activity.

Would you defend them or your home if you had to?

Well, I”m not sure that would sit too well with the rest of us if push came to shove.

You think so? When ppl see that disability benefits are being cut so if they are maimed by war they know they wont be looked after by their country afterwards.
The reason many people laughed at the idea of a Citizens Army is because their country treats them like crap,

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5079184-supermarkets-employing-more-people-but-not-giving-out-hours?page=1

@JenniferBooth yes I do think so. In any event, perhaps if more people stepped up to volunteer in the community to plug some of the gaps, we wouldn’t be in this mess.

From another thread

constantgarden · 25/01/2024 00:18

The WW2 conscript army kept fighting because they were promised the NHS, welfare state, council housing, and all that was delivered after the war. That’s all been dismantled.

That's interesting. When and by whom were they promised those things? 1942? 1940? By Labour MPs?

That's another question I didn't ask my lot before they died.

With all due respect, that was a considerable amount of time ago and we are in quite a different place now.

When the last labour leader Tony Blair took us in to war there was no subscription then.

Because the social contract has been broken

I haven't seen this but do post covid watch less news.

TBH I have kids in age range but not worried yet. There's a lot that would have to happen to get from where we are now to where conscription was seriously being considered. Some of that would depend on what type of war we were finding oursleves fighting.

I think countries nearer Russain borders are having these conversations but I think it fearmongering for UK at moment.

It’s your choice how you think of me and my values. I wouldn’t be offended as I understand why others have opinions and opposing views but nothing would get us to enter into any act of war or support of war.

The WW2 conscript army kept fighting because they were promised the NHS, welfare state, council housing, and all that was delivered after the war. That’s all been dismantled.

I thought Churchill was voted out post war election because his party weren't promising any of that at all.

I thought they were fighting as having a common enemy unites countries. In fact Nazi targeted working class areas of country for bombing hoping to start a class war - well that what one TV documenatry was telling me.

I understand, but none of that will make a blind bit of difference if we find ourselves in a position where we have to start conscripting people to join up.

I don’t have a view on you or your values, as I don’t know what they are and I don’t know you!

In that case what would not sit well with you ?

The social contract between the government and people was ripped up and spat on in 2020 and 2021.

You can Google these things.

Churchill was a Tory. He was preceeded by Chamberlain, also a Tory known for his great appeasement policy (aka rubbing Hitlers belly and asking him if he wanted his ears scratched too - remind you of anyone orange faced). Hitler did precisely what he told Chamberlain he wouldn't in invading Poland and in doing so Chamberlain had no choice but to declare war on Germany and thus WW2 was started.
Churchill became PM shortly after when it became painfully obvious Chamberlain could not lead during wartime.

At the 1945 GE, the first in peacetime, labour won by a landslide as Churchill's campaign was focused still on War and Atlee (who won) ran on a pledge to rebuild and make things better. His government started things like laying the foundations for the welfare state, NHS and pensions.

Council housing was already a big thing, having been delivered in the wake of WW1 but labour delivered it to more (slum clearances, 1950s estates,).

I am in my 30s with no elderly relatives to ask but I read and learn these things as I don't think we can inform the future without learning about the past.

People saying that they would refuse. It wouldn’t be an option, for a start.

Not unless the powers that be want Tim Tok to be flooded with “Come with me to this hidden gem called the frontline” reels 😂.

It’s always an option. If you don’t want to directly or indirectly support violence and harm you don’t have to.

You know exactly what I mean.

Don't be so silly.

In fact Nazi targeted working class areas of country for bombing hoping to start a class war - well that what one TV documenatry was telling me.
Hmm. Isn't it more likely that they were targeting shipyards and factories/munitions works, which is where the workers lived? Not much point in bombing Belgravia, really.

I doubt conscientious objectors would be forced to fight but if there was mass conscription you'd have to serve in another way - doing essential work, being medics, that kind of thing.