Sunak says national service plan is ‘right thing to do’ amid backlash

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during a campaign event (PA)

Rishi Sunak defended his “bold” plan to bring back a form of compulsory national service amid a ministerial backlash and Tory confusion about the policy.

The British Prime Minister said the policy, which will see 18-year-olds forced to either sign up to the military or cyber defence force or undertake community volunteering work, would make society “more cohesive” and strengthen the UK’s defence.