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General election 2024 live: Cleverly quizzed on Conservative Party's national service plan - BBC News General election 2024 live: Cleverly quizzed on Conservative Party's national service plan - BBC News
(32 minutes later)
Over to the south east now, where Rishi Sunak has been meeting and greeting voters, joined by his wife Akshata Murty. The Conservatives' plans to
His latest campaign appearance comes after he announced plans to re-introduce mandatory national service if he wins the upcoming general election. re-introduce national service have dominated coverage this morning.
The PM said the policy would help unite society in an "increasingly uncertain world" and give young people a "shared sense of purpose". Here is a round-up of some of the reaction to the proposal from across the
Here's a few snaps from today's visit: political spectrum:
Labour: Appearing on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, shadow chancellor Rachel
Reeves called the plans a "desperate gimmick", insisting there were "no viable means of funding it"
SNP: Deputy leader Keith Brown, a former Royal Marine, called the plans a sticking plaster, adding that proper investment is
the answer to boosting recruitment in the armed forces
Green Party: co-leader Carla Denyer said it was "removed from
reality", adding that young
people need access "to meaningful jobs that pay well - not military
conscription"
Plaid Cymru: Westminster group leader Liz Saville Roberts said the plan was “bonkers”, and accused the
Conservatives of scrapping investment in the futures of young people
Reform UK: Party leader Richard Tice dismissed the pledge as "so desperate"
Conservative: Defence secretary Grant Shapps said those who take on national service will "gain
incredible opportunities", while Education Secretary Gillian Keegan praised the “bold action"
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