UK's Conservatives want to reintroduce national service if re-elected in July

Britons are going to the polls on 4 July, after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced an election date earlier than expected this week.

What also sparked surprise was the Conservatives' plan to bring back national service if re-elected.

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UK correspondent Gavin Grey says critics see this as the current governing party, flailing around for ideas which may prove popular because they're so far behind in the opinion polls.

"The Conservatives are 21 points behind the party of opposition, Labour.... This proposal is something which I think has absolutely stunned people."

"National service was introduced first in 1947, and then ended in 1960 - could it make a comeback in 2024?"

Gavin Grey, UK Correspondent

The scheme would see all 18-year-olds up for mandatory 12-month national service, or volunteering one weekend a month to carry out community service.

Grey says the annual cost is expected to be around R60 billion a year.

"The Prime Minister believes it would bring back the national spirit that emerged during the pandemic, but to bring it back in the election campaign seems quite extraordinary."

"At the moment all the opinion polls are suggesting the Conservatives are a long behind... but you know what these elections are like  - as in South Africa, anything can happen."

 Gavin Grey, UK Correspondent

Scroll to the top of the article to listen to Grey's update (skip to 3:34 for election discussion)