Conscription no longer dirty word for some Brits concerned about Vladimir Putin

ABC NEWS (Australia)

For many the idea of compulsory military service is a relic from a Bygone era. But in the United Kingdom talk of conscription has re-entered the national database, with one Liberal democrat MP saying it could be inevitable.

Transcript

00:00In 1914, the Great War had begun and Britain's army needed troops.

00:07There was no shortage of able and willing men eager to serve.

00:13Britain's army was really small, so it had to call on all of its resources.

00:18Millions joined up as volunteers.

00:20But that didn't deliver enough boots on the ground,

00:23and two years later, conscription was introduced.

00:26There were those who felt this was a restriction of liberties,

00:30that people shouldn't be forced to serve in the army or to serve the state.

00:35But it was felt that the crisis was so great,

00:37that the stakes were so high, that they had no choice.

00:40Even though conscription ended in 1960,

00:43talk of mandatory military service is back in public debate,

00:47with the UK and European countries already preparing

00:51for if Russia were to expand its war beyond Ukraine.

00:55In February, the British government announced an increase to its defence budget,

00:59marking the start of what it called a new era.

01:02We want to make sure that our armed forces are as strong as they can possibly be,

01:07that they are a credible deterrent force.

01:10But others believe conscription is the answer.

01:13UK MP Mike Martin recently stated,

01:16Obviously, if we get involved in a general war with Russia,

01:20we'll be conscripting the population.

01:22There's no question about that.

01:24And in Tunbridge Wells south-west of London, views on the topic were mixed.

01:28I do think it's a good idea generally.

01:30Obviously, I hope we never want to get to that point.

01:32I'm not the type of guy to want to go to the army.

01:35It's a bit scary.

01:37Vladimir Putin has announced the drafting of an additional 160,000 men into the Russian army,

01:43which is already believed to have about a million and a half troops.

01:47In comparison, here in Britain, there's just 100,000 armed forces personnel.

01:53Being a Labour MP, I know that there are no plans for conscription.

01:58And many are hoping those plans never change.

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