British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has hinted at potential repercussions for young people who decline to join in national duty.
The leader who faces re-election during an interview raised the possibility that youngsters in the United Kingdom might face restrictions on “driving licences, or the access to finance, all sorts of other things” if they don’t comply with the proposed Conservative policy of compulsory national service for all 18-year-olds.
When asked if this could also apply to rejecting bank cards on a BBC Question Time Election Special, Sunak said, “There’s lots of different models around Europe.”
According to the Guardian, Sunak’s opening question set the tone for the evening, bringing up the rapid succession of five Tory prime ministers, including Liz Truss’s brief term in office: “I am asking if you would confess to us tonight even just a small amount of embarrassment to be leading the Conservative party?”
Sunak was pressed hard during his session on why, after 14 years in office, the public should still have faith in the Conservative Party.
Sunak asked people to judge him by his record, but he was asked why young people should trust him in light of the “shenanigans with the Tory party.” Host Fiona Bruce said, “There’s a bit of a theme emerging.” He was also heckled and called names for not pledging to keep Britain in the European Convention on Human Rights. When asked about his feelings regarding bets on the general election date, Sunak responded that he was “incredibly angry.” He was also asked why Brexit was not included in the current Conservative manifesto, a question that excited the York audience.
