Many people in Swindon are against Rishi Sunak’s general election announcement to make national service compulsory for 18-year-olds in the UK, an Adver poll has revealed. 

Out of 275 votes, 64 per cent voted no to the question ‘Should national service be introduced again in the UK?’, compared to 36 per cent voting in favour.

The new proposal would give young people the choice between a year-long full-time placement in the armed forces or volunteering for one weekend a month on local community initiatives.

It has already proved divisive within the Conservative Party and they estimate the plans will cost £2.5 billion a year by 2029-30.

The debate raged on the Adver Facebook page.

Christian Stayner commented: “The Tories have been in charge for 14 years and have yet to provide any service to the nation, but now they think 18-year-olds should?”  

Meanwhile Alex Clark said: “I think it should be for people who haven’t got either college or work lined up after school, it’ll soon stop all the people from refusing to work or gain further education.”

Tina Mottram wrote: “This is like another Brexit vote, the younger generation who it will affect again, they will not have a say, older generation again setting out what their future will look like, if men and women wish to join the military it should be on their own life choices not forced upon them like Brexit.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer described it as ‘desperate chaos.’  

Tommy Brenton agreed with the plans, saying: “Yeah we need it, we needed it 10 years ago, so probably the most sensible thing the government has said for years.”

Graham Philipot said: “It’s the most ridiculous thing we’ve heard from this government and that’s saying something. Nobody will go to prison for refusing to take part, leading to the absurd situation where the government are saying that if you refuse to do community service then you’re going to do community service.”

Rachel Elsworth commented: “How many boy teenagers wash up, do washing and tidy bedrooms? Don’t they just go gaming? Mine’s working now but still lazy… I think it’s a good thing as long as it’s educational and getting a trade, not being put anywhere dangerous.”

Martin Newman replied: “No, this is a fundamentally illiberal measure and an attack on the rights of the individual. I don’t want to live in a militaristic society.”

Mick Liston said: “Yes it would do the younger generation good, maybe stop a bit of knife crime as well."