Starmer slammed as verdict on conscription delivered – ‘The UK is not worth fighting for!’

Express readers have given their verdict on conscription as experts warn national service might have to return to bolster Britain’s “denuded” Armed Forces. The topic has sparked a huge debate, with many readers arguing their case for and against.

However, an overwhelming theme is that it is believed Sir Keir Starmer and this Labour Government are failing to do enough to keep Britain’s defences watertight. One reader suggested the Prime Minister even wants conflict with Russia. They said leaders across the UK should receive white feathers — a symbol given to men to shame them into signing up to fight in the First World War — if conscription “becomes a reality”.

The reader said: “Send feathers… because these so-called leaders are willing to force every family in Britain to hand their sons and daughters to a cause that they are trying to instigate… war with Russia.

“Many I have spoken to believe Starmer is actively pushing for war. Not to protect freedoms or democracy but rather to protect himself and his worthless party from the threat of elections.

“So, use the symbol of the white feather only this time, send them to those who deserve them.”

Another expressed their dismay over Labour, saying: “This Government clearly hate our country. Why would they expect our young people to fight for it? They need to be doing far, far better than this.”

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) insists there are no plans to introduce conscription at this stage, with the focus on boosting the professional military.

One Express reader said they joined the Royal Navy in the 1970s and wouldn’t sign up today.

They commented: “Today’s military have the added fear of being fed to the lions by their own Government decades later. For doing their duty.

“Sadly I wouldn’t join the forces today, because I wouldn’t feel like the Government would have my back. Total respect for serving personnel today.”

Others suggested they would not want to be conscripted into the UK Armed Forces.

“We used to have a country worth fighting for,” said one reader.

“I’m not sure I would want to lay my life down now for what it’s become.”

A second said “modern Britain is not worth fighting for”, while another added: “Conscription is a form of slavery.”

Some readers were also unsure whether conscription was the answer to bolster Britain’s military.

One person said: “The military needs motivated troops. Conscription therefore is not the answer.”

Several European nations, including most recently Germany and France, have moved to bring back conscription to help solve their manpower woes and many defence commentators have urged the UK to consider following suit.

Others argue that while this must be in the minds of ministers, it should only be enacted when all other avenues have been exhausted.

An MoD spokesperson has defended the Government’s defence plans and reiterated its stance on conscription.

They told the Express: “The UK defence budget is rising to record levels as this Government delivers the biggest boost to defence spending since the Cold War, totalling £270bn this parliament alone.

“This Government has no plans to introduce conscription in the UK and believes the best way of defending our country is by maintaining professional Armed Forces who choose to serve.

“We are reversing the long-term decline in the size of the Army, will increase defence spending to 2.5% by 2027 and are providing better training, smarter use of existing capabilities and harnessing technological advancements so our armed forces operate precisely, at scale and at speed.”