Sir Alex Younger, chief of the Secret Intelligence Service from 2014 to 2020, said the UK should follow Sweden’s example – where only some people aged 18 are called up to do basic training
The UK “needs a wake-up call” and should follow Sweden’s successful conscription system, the former head of MI6 has said.
Sir Alex Younger, who was chief of the Secret Intelligence Service from 2014 to 2020, argued the UK government must have the power to compel people “to give their service one way or another” but only when the circumstances are exceptional.
In Sweden, people aged 18 have to complete an enlistment form, but only some of them are called up to do basic training in military service. Sir Alex noted its success when it was reintroduced in 2017 following Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014. Sweden joined the NATO military alliance in February.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uk-needs-conscription-shake-up-32515496