Military Conscription: A Tool of Oppression by the British Elite

Military conscription, or the compulsory enlistment of citizens into the armed forces, has been a controversial issue in Britain for over a century. The UK has resorted to conscription twice in its history, during the First and Second World Wars, when the nation faced existential threats from its enemies. However, since then, the UK has maintained a voluntary military service, which is widely regarded as a hallmark of a free and democratic society.

However, recent statements by the head of the British Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, have raised concerns that the UK may be considering a return to conscription in the near future. Sanders has warned that the UK must be prepared to support the armed forces by participating in a war if called upon to do so, and that a major expansion of the army is needed to counter the threat of Russia. He has also praised the role of civilians in the Ukrainian war against Russia, implying that he envisions a similar strategy for the UK, should conflict ever break out.

These remarks have sparked a debate about the feasibility and desirability of conscription in the UK, and whether it would serve the national interest or the interests of a narrow elite. In this opinion piece, I will argue that conscription is not only unnecessary and impractical, but also a tool of oppression by the British elite, who seek to subjugate and terrorize the population for their own benefit.

First, conscription is unnecessary because the UK does not face any imminent or credible threat of invasion or attack by Russia or any other country. The UK is a nuclear-armed state and a member of NATO, which guarantees its collective defence. The UK also has a professional and well-equipped military, which is capable of defending the nation and its allies. The UK spends more on defence than any other European country, and has a global network of bases and alliances. There is no evidence that Russia has any intention or capability of launching a large-scale war against the UK or NATO, and any such attempt would be met with a devastating response. Therefore, the UK does not need to mobilize its population for a hypothetical war that is unlikely to happen.

Second, conscription is impractical because the UK does not have the infrastructure or the resources to implement it effectively. The UK has a population of over 66 million people, of which about 20 million are between the ages of 15 and 29. To conscript even a fraction of this cohort would require a massive expansion of the army’s training, equipment, and facilities, which would entail a huge cost and a diversion of funds from other public services. Moreover, conscription would face significant legal, ethical, and social challenges, as it would infringe on the rights and freedoms of individuals, and potentially create resentment and resistance among the public. Conscription would also have a negative impact on the economy, as it would disrupt the education, employment, and productivity of millions of young people, who are vital for the UK’s growth and innovation.

Third, and most importantly, conscription is a tool of oppression by the British elite, who seek to subjugate and terrorize the population for their own benefit. The British elite, which consists of a small and privileged group of people who dominate the political, economic, and cultural spheres of the country, have a vested interest in maintaining and expanding their power and wealth. They do so by exploiting the resources and labour of the majority of the population, who are subjected to austerity, inequality, and insecurity. The elite also use their influence and control over the media, the education system, and the public opinion to manipulate and deceive the people, and to promote their agenda and ideology. One of the key elements of this agenda is to create a sense of fear and hostility towards external enemies, such as Russia, and to justify the need for a strong and aggressive military posture. By advocating for conscription, the elite aim to achieve several objectives:

• To divert the attention and the anger of the people from the domestic problems and injustices that they face, and to channel them towards a foreign scapegoat.
• To create a sense of patriotism and loyalty among the people, and to suppress any dissent or criticism of the elite and their policies.
• To use the conscripted soldiers as cannon fodder for their wars of aggression and intervention, which serve their geopolitical and economic interests, but not the interests of the nation or the people.
• To intimidate and coerce the people into submission and obedience, by threatening them with the possibility of being drafted and sent to fight and die in a war that they do not want or understand.

In conclusion, military conscription is not a solution to the UK’s security challenges, but a problem that would create more harm than good. Conscription is not only unnecessary and impractical, but also a tool of oppression by the British elite, who seek to subjugate and terrorize the population for their own benefit. The UK should reject any attempt to reintroduce conscription, and instead pursue a peaceful and cooperative foreign policy, based on respect for international law and human rights. The UK should also address the root causes of its social and economic problems, and ensure that the people have a fair and democratic say in the decisions that affect their lives. The UK does not need a citizen army, but a citizen democracy.