cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/15826549
Ruling Conservative Party says it will bring back national service if it wins the July 4 general election.
Eighteen-year-olds will have to perform a mandatory national service if the Conservative Party is voted back to power in the United Kingdom’s July 4 election, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced.
The prime minister’s plan would entail young people being given a choice between a full-time placement in the armed forces for 12 months or spending one weekend a month for a year volunteering in their community, the party said.
#1. It’s not really a ‘snap’ election, it’s been called within the normal window of calling an election. While things could have got better if he’d held on they could have also got worse. With inflation down to more normal rates it looks like he thought ‘this is as good as it’ll get’
#2. Dunno.
For 2, I reckon they’re really really pushing for the old white racist man votes. I think it’s damage control to hold on to some seats. They think that’s the best they’re going to get.
That or they plan to win over those votes now, then change their tune closer to the election to win more moderate votes too, thinking that the right wing voters are stubborn and will therefore stick with them having made up their minds already.