Experts have warned that the current British army numbers are not enough if a global war did break out.
The possibility of conscription in the UK is increasing (Image: Getty)
A poll shows that around 40% of under-40s across Britain would refuse to serve in the armed forces if WW3 broke out. Meanwhile, 30% said they would still refuse to serve even if the nation was facing an imminent invasion.
Experts across the world believe we’ve never been closer to a global conflict since the end of WW2 as tensions mount over Iran, Greenland, Venezuela, Israel and Palestine, and Russia and Ukraine.The UK recently raised the age limit for Army reservists from 55 to 65, a clear signal of its preparation for conflict.
However, a 2024 YouGov poll shows that 38% of Brits aged under 40 would not serve in the armed forces in the event of a world war. Just 7% of those aged between 18 and 40 said they would volunteer for military service.
Of those polled, 21% of people aged between 18 and 40 would not volunteer but would serve if called up. However, 17% aged under 40 said they “don’t know” whether they would serve, while 17% did not believe the armed forces would want them to serve due to a disability.
If the UK were under imminent threat of foreign invasion, 11% of Brits aged between 18 and 40 said they would volunteer for military service. Meanwhile, 30% said they would not volunteer and would refuse to serve if called up.
Conscription was first rolled out in the UK during the First World War in 1916. It was introduced again when WW2 broke out in 1939 in a bid to boost manpower.
Young, fit men and single people without children are most likely to get called up first. In 1939, those who were fit and aged 20 and 21 were conscripted before the war had begun, before a later change saw men aged 18 to 41 included.
The world’s Doomsday Clock is ticking closer to midnight (Image: Getty)
However, women could be conscripted if war broke out today. In WW2, women aged between 20 and 30 were drafted for roles related to war, including nursing, munitions, and auxiliary positions
In January, it was reported that the UK Government will increase the age limit for reservists in a move that would see former military personnel called up in the event of war. It will take the age limit of the strategic armed forces reserve, made up of former Service personnel with an Ex Regular and Recall Reserve liability, from 55 to 65.
Military experts warned that the current army numbers are not enough if a war were to break out. Meanwhile, former MP and ex-British Army officer Dr Mike Martin said the UK would need conscription because “we’re not at a stage yet where we can replace people with drones”.
Meanwhile, General Sir Patrick Sanders warned the government last year that Brits should prepare for conscription “within six years”. Although it is not certain whether a world war will break out, it appears that leaders across the globe are preparing for the possibility.
