First group to be called up in UK conscription 'refuses to fight' in WW3

A fresh survey has cast doubt on whether one of the groups most likely to face conscription would actually be prepared to take up arms should World War 3 erupt. Fears of a global conflict intensified ahead of the US Midterm Elections, when the USA dispatched a third aircraft carrier to the region before striking Iranian sites. Consequently, anxieties have mounted over what might happen should war break out and the UK find itself drawn into the conflict.

One possibility is that conscription, which hasn't been used in the UK since 1963, could be reintroduced to strengthen the armed forces. Young people would be among those most likely to be called up. However, a new poll, the British Social Attitudes Survey, which questioned 4,656 Britons aged 16 and over about their willingness to serve, has raised questions about just how prepared they would be to fight. The findings revealed that just 22 percent of those under the age of 35 would be willing to enlist in the armed forces or attached significant importance to doing so.

This is despite the mounting threat posed by Russia to the east and the fact that the survey, which has been carried out annually since 1983, found that more people regarded the USA as a threat. While conscription and World War 3 aren't currently on the horizon, there is speculation about who might be first in line to be called up. Although conscription was last used in the UK in 1963, it was also introduced during World War 2 , reports the Express .

On that occasion, the age range was expanded from 20-to-22-year-olds in 1939 to men aged between 18 and 41. The Parliament website said: "On the day Britain declared war on Germany, 3 September 1939, Parliament immediately passed a more wide-reaching measure. "The National Service (Armed Forces) Act imposed conscription on all males aged between 18 and 41 who had to register for service." However, other experts have offered more recent views on who might and might not be liable to be called up in the event of World War 3.

Speaking to The Express earlier this year, author and historian David Swift suggested that one demographic in particular would be targeted. He said: "Military conscription would target unemployed graduates - this would be very popular with lots of people." David suggested, however, that those employed in the UK's defence industries would be more likely to receive an exemption. He added: "Since there is such an urgent need to rebuild Britain's defence industries and industrial capacity.

"I would expect that people in these important occupations would be exempt. Or even that people could be 'conscripted' into working in these industries." Ensure our latest UK News headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings