Wayne Mapp: Former Defence Minister says Rishi Sunak's mandatory national service plan is a misstep

Published: May 26, 2024, 9:04 p.m.

The UK Prime Minister's proposed mandatory national service\xa0is being called a misstep.

If re-elected on July 4, the Conservative Party will make 18-year-olds participate for 12 months in a military placement or one weekend a month of community service.

Former New Zealand Defence Minister Wayne Mapp told Mike Hosking the roughly $5 billion plan is the wrong approach.

He doubts it will be a vote winner,\xa0and says they should focus on incentives to volunteer for service.

The Tories haven't said what they'll do\xa0if the compulsory service is not completed.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.