Britain is sleepwalking into danger — bring back National Service

Britain is sleepwalking into danger — bring back National Service OPINION: Former soldier and Tory minister Tobias Ellwood thinks the UK needs to reintroduce National Service. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments OPINION By Tobias Ellwood 06:11, Sat, Oct 31, 2026 Former Tory MP Tobias Ellwood has issued a warning to the Government (Image: Getty) The warnings could hardly be clearer.

Military commanders, intelligence chiefs even the last Prime Minister have sounded the alarm: The world’s getting more dangerous and Britain's homeland is increasingly under threat. Yet this Government remains dangerously in denial. We are behaving as though war is something that happens elsewhere. It isn't. Cyber-attacks, sabotage, disinformation and threats to our critical infrastructure are already exposing Britain's vulnerabilities.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Our enemies understand something we seem determined to ignore: modern warfare doesn't just target soldiers. It targets society itself. We need a modern National Service , designed not for the wars of yesterday, but for the threats of tomorrow. Finland and Sweden offer national service models we should follow. Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster 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 . Yes, we need more military reserves. But we also need young people trained in cyber defence, drone technology, emergency response, protecting infrastructure, engineering and safeguarding vital supply chains.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Imagine Britain without electricity, water or communications for 72 hours. Who would keep our communities functioning? An eight-month National Service programme for 18-year-olds, followed by annual refresher training, could build a generation equipped to defend and support their country across the full spectrum of modern threats. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT WATCH: Liz Truss destroys Andy Burnham's 'tumbleweed' Budget in brutal three-word takedown Budget 2026 LIVE: John Healey's speech immediately torn to shreds | Politics | News | Express.co.uk Tobias Ellwood says Britain needs to wake up (Image: Getty) It would also restore civic duty, strengthen national unity as well as rebuild resilience.

This isn't warmongering. It's common sense. In 1937, Britain was dangerously unprepared for what was coming. We cannot afford to repeat that mistake. The threats are real. The warnings are unmistakable. The Government must stop pretending otherwise. Storm clouds are gathering once again, and the line between war and peace is increasingly blurred. Introduce a modern National Service. Before it's too late. Military Defence Conservative Party Labour Party Russia Tobias Ellwood Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments