The United Kingdom is being urged to think about bringing back conscription by a European Union ally as WW3 fears grow. Latvia’s foreign minister believes that if the UK reintroduces state-enforced national service, it could help Europe’s defence efforts against Russia.
Krisjanis Karins made this suggestion as Ukraine enters its third year of conflict with Russia. He told Sky News: “We think it’s a very good idea for us. I think other NATO allies could consider it as well.”
When asked if he thought it would make a difference if the UK started conscription, Mr Karins said: “I think it would make a difference if any European country [did] – and of course, the larger countries, it would make a bigger difference.”
It comes as WW3 concerns are rising after heightening tensions in the Middle East and the South China Sea, while the Russia-Ukraine war has today entered its third year. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue to cause chaos in the Gulf of Aden, as global politicians remain focussed on working towards a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, nearly five months on from Hamas terrorists brutal attack on Israel on October 8.
Latvia, which is one of three Baltic states in the NATO alliance, first stopped conscription nearly 20 years ago but due to current tensions, it has brought back the draft as part of a plan to double its armed forces to 61,000, the Daily Star reports.
Mr Karins added: “The point of the draft is to beef up capable, equipped and trained reservists. It’s not replacing the professional army. It’s augmenting the professional army.”
UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has told Sky News at the Munich Security Conference that Britain has a professional army of highly-trained armed forces and there are absolutely no plans to change this.
He said: “We have a professional army of professional armed forces. It’s really important that they are trained to the highest possible standards.
“Everyone knows that in a wartime – First World War, Second World War – scenario, of course, countries have to make other arrangements.”
He ruled out the possibility of conscription, adding: “That’s not the position we’re in now. We have absolutely no plans to do that now. And so that’s not something which is on the agenda currently.”
