The c-word – conscription – once a dirty word in Britain, is back in debate after Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, warned that Europe must brace for a war on a scale ‘our grandparents and great-grandparents endured’.

Only hours later UK’s armed forces minister, Al Carns, said the country is nearing a conflict and that the ‘shadow of war was at Europe’s door.’

This has triggered a question: could the UK be next to join the bandwagon in Europe, and introduce conscription, amid a growing threat from Russia?

Since 1963, compulsory military service has been a relic in the country – an artifact of a different era. Attitudes towards the practice have also dropped

A return would be a major political step – and one that is unlikely to happen under the current Labour government.

But as Europ

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