The Conservatives have just announced their first policy pledge – bringing back mandatory National Service. If the Tories win the election, every 18-year-old across the UK will be made to either join the armed forces or ‘volunteer’ in civic resilience. These are the following ‘choices’:

• A full-time 12-month placement in the armed forces.
• A full-time 12-month placement in UK cyber defence.

Or, for one weekend a month (25 days a year) they will be made to ‘volunteer’ in one of the following:

• Police department.
• Fire brigade.
• NHS.
• Charities that tackle loneliness and older people.

The National Service was abolished in the UK in 1960, though now Rishi Sunak has decided that taking away the freedoms of 18-year-olds, both male and female, and making it compulsory for them to ‘serve’ the country is somehow a vote winner. Even the Labour Party are appalled at the “desperate”, “unfunded” idea, which they estimate would cost £12.5 billion over the course of the parliament. Asking 18-year-olds to fix your problems is not a good look…

So long gap years, internships and work experience. Instead of getting ahead in the private sector and contributing toward the economy, late teens will be forced into public service and ultimately the taxpayer with have to foot the bill. A desperate first announcement…