Tory backlash grows over Sunak’s national service pledge

The Conservative campaign pledge to introduce mandatory national service is still dominating the news two days on. Many of Monday’s front pages carry details or questions over the practicality of the policy. There are also questions about what sanctions 18-year-olds would face for refusing to take part in community service or take part in a twelve-month armed forces placement. Officially, this is one for the royal commission to decide (if Sunak is somehow prime minister after 4 July) – but ideas floating around include being blocked from civil service jobs, fines or credits in relation to university applications.

However, the more immediate problem for Sunak here is once again his party. As Fraser and I discussed on Sunday’s Coffee House Shots, several MPs and ministers have privately voiced concerns and bemusement since the policy was announced. Now one has gone public. Step forward Steve Baker.