Inside Britain's plans for a 'new Home Guard' as WW3 conscription fears erupt

Inside Britain's plans for a 'new Home Guard' as WW3 conscription fears erupt Thousands of Brits would be recruited to protect Britain's critical infrastructure. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Jon King , News Reporter 09:36, Tue, Oct 20, 2026 Updated: 09:38, Tue, Oct 20, 2026 Volunteers could be called on to help the army protect critical infrastructure in a war (Image: Getty) A Dad's Army-style Home Guard will play a "key" part of efforts to aid the military if Britain goes to war. Ministers have floated the idea of a Home Defence Programme (HDP) to boost the country's resilience in the face of any potential conflict affecting the UK. As tensions rise between Ukraine and Russia and in the Middle East , Brits are being warned they may need to play their part in defending the nation. The "evolving" HDP would focus on combining civilian and military efforts at a time of war. Former Cabinet Office minister, Dan Jarvis, told Parliament in October last year that the programme would provide a baseline understanding of what help the military would need and how roles may be filled during a conflict. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Reports have likened current proposals to the Home Guard set up in 1940, when Britain was at war with Nazi Germany. Its members were to provide a last line of defence if German forces were to mount an invasion of the UK. Thousands of men who weren't eligible for regular military service joined the Home Guard, which was dramatised in the 1960s and 70s in the popular BBC TV comedy, Dad's Army. Get the day's biggest headlines in UK and World news and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . The Government's Strategic Defence Review (SDR) calls for a collective effort to defend the country, galvanising resources from industry, civil society and the population at large. This would include strengthening the protection of Britain's critical national infrastructure in sectors such as energy, telecoms, food production and water. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Revolut down LIVE: Banking app 'not working' today as account users report issues Horror as neighbours of man mauled to death by tiger issue chilling update While the Ministry of Defence is tasked with laying out what form the new force will take, the SDR suggested it could be modelled on the Reserves and led by the army. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT A new force of volunteers tasked with protecting national critical infrastructure could be recruited locally, bear arms and be equipped with basic communications and drones, according to the SDR. It said such plans would also have to "nest" within the HDP. Army chiefs have long been signalling the need for the wider population to be prepared for war. The head of the British Army, General Sir Roly Walker, said earlier this month that every citizen would be asked to play their part to defend the country and make sacrifices. In remarks to troops at Catterick Garrison caught on camera by the British Forces Broadcasting Service, Sir Roly said: "There was a time our nation didn't want to think of a time when it would need its soldiers to fight in a war. "Indeed, very soon, the political leaders of this country will start to have a frank conversation with the citizens of this country about just what is going on and where the risk lies." He said Brits would be told they will need to "play a part" in the defence and security of the country. The army chief added that "ultimately", troops will "need them to back us" as the military takes the fight to the enemy. A day after his remarks were reported, former national security adviser, Lord Peter Ricketts, told the BBC ministers must do more to inform the public about the looming threat from Russia , adding that eventually "people are going to land up being killed somewhere". World War 3 Defence British army Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments