Exclusive

Tory minister defends Sunak's 'brave' National Service plans despite last week criticising idea

27 May 2024, 17:39 | Updated: 27 May 2024, 17:59

The veterans minister said the plans would be "an extremely good thing"
The veterans minister said the plans would be "an extremely good thing". Picture: Alamy

By Will Conroy

Tory minister Johnny Mercer has defended Rishi Sunak’s National Service plans as a 'great idea' despite last week dismissing the policy idea.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Talking to Iain Dale on LBC, the veterans' minister said his previous comments were regarding the form that National Service took during the “50s and 60s”, rather than Mr Sunak's new proposal.

The Prime Minister unveiled the plans on Sunday that would see 18-year-olds given the choice of a full-time military placement for 12 months or a scheme to volunteer for one weekend a month for a year.

Pressed on his initial scepticism of the policy last week, Mr Mercer told LBC Monday: “It’s so annoying, isn’t it? As you can see in the question, it's very clearly talking about National Service in the 50s and 60s, which is not what this is about.

“There’s a very small part of this - 30,000 - when you can go to the military if you want to, so no one’s going to be compulsorily put into the military."

Iain Dale challenges Tory MP Johnny Mercer's support of the Prime Minster

Mr Mercer defended comments on the policy in which he said he was “not sure it would be a good idea”.
Mr Mercer defended comments on the policy in which he said he was “not sure it would be a good idea”. Picture: Alamy

He continued: “But the vast majority of it is volunteering in fantastic organisations up and down the country. I personally think is an extremely good thing. I think it's a great plan, a great idea.

“I think the idea is very brave and very bold and actually is something that people want to see.”

“It (would give) a pride and purpose and challenge to those who often feel most left behind.”

It is the Conservatives’ first major policy proposal since Mr Sunak announced the general election for 4 July on Wednesday

The Conservatives estimate the programme would cost £2.5bn a year by 2029/30 funded with cash previously used for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and by cracking down on tax avoidance and evasion.

Follow the LBC live General Election blog for all the twists and turns of the campaign train and listen live to LBC on Global Player, our official app

Iain Dale says proposed National Service policy has "wrenched back the initiative" for the Tories

Rishi Sunak announced the date for the next general election to be the 4th of July.
Rishi Sunak announced the date for the next general election to be the 4th of July. Picture: Alamy

Mr Mercer, who is the MP for Plymouth, Moor View, was defending comments in which he said he was “not sure it would be a good idea”.

Discussing whether National Service should be reinstated last week, he said: “No, no national service at that time served a very defined purpose.

“Being in the military is very different now, it’s a very technical role and it's not a social movement. It's a professional ability to defend the nation, to fight, to operate as formed units.

“I'm not sure it would be a good idea. Personally, it doesn't chime with my experience of the social change we’re trying to improve politically.”

Read more: Sunak vows to bring back National Service for every 18-year-old if Tories win the general election

Read more: Royal children 'to face National Service under Sunak pledge' as new details emerge

The minister has also caught some heat after being photographed on the train by a fellow passenger without shoes or socks as he travelled from London to Exeter earlier this month.

Images showed the MP working on his laptop, while close-ups of his screen revealed his scathing words about Mr Sunak’s team in Downing Street.

His comments appeared to criticise aides for allowing the Prime Minister to hog the limelight and acting as if he is still as popular as he was when he first took office.

The minister also demanded that more popular Cabinet colleagues like Penny Mordaunt and Kemi Badenoch be given more media appearances instead.

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch
Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch. Picture: Alamy

When quizzed by Iain on these images, Mr Mercer said: “Obviously that was my private email account and that was a private message that was snapped off my laptop by some weirdo taking photos on the train. I'm obviously not going to comment on my private email account and private messages.”

“Rishi Sunak runs a cabinet where he welcomes challenge and wants your honest opinion on things and there’s nothing wrong with having challenge from people that you work with.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

"I ran, not to rip the joey away from its mother, but from fear she might attack me," Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, posted on social media.

American influencer apologises after being threatened with deportation for snatching baby wombat from mum

The Forum Chinese Restaurant

Chinese restaurant chef uses CCTV to prove 'nonsense' reviews wrong

Soccer - International Friendly - Venezuela v Nigeria

England star John Fashanu arrested over 'five crimes' as he sues police for £100,000 compensation

NASA astronauts Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)

'Stranded' NASA astronauts set to return from nine month space mission - but what health issues could they face?

Exclusive
Jordan Stephens, Rizzle Kicks star.

Rizzle Kicks star says children 'rely' on online communities for connection as he says 'boredom' to blame for rising crime

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference in the Downing Street Briefing Room after hosting virtual meeting with international leaders to discuss support for Ukraine.

Military chiefs to meet in UK next week - as Starmer confirms Ukraine peace effort ‘moving into operational phase’

Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast in England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)

Russian captain of Solong container ship remanded in custody following crash with US oil tanker

BRITAIN-UKRAINE-DIPLOMACY-POLITICS-DEFENCE

'Coalition of the willing': Starmer hosts Ukraine peace summit as PM urges Putin to 'come to the negotiating table'

Joanne Penney, 40.

Five charged and one arrested after fatal shooting of 'deeply loved' mother

Ozdemir Zia hit Edna McLean as he turned his double-decker near Woolwich Arsenal station, London.

Bus driver avoids jail after killing 83-year-old pensioner in 'momentary error'

Front facade of a pretty country cottage, Netherbury, Dorset, UK - John Gollop

Met Police suggest planting roses in your garden could deter would-be burglars

March 11, 2025, London, England, UK: Actor, director and writer NOEL CLARKE arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice for his libel case against The Guardian over articles on sexual misconduct allegations against him.

Actress said to have been groped by actor Noel Clarke tells court 'it is a lie'

Melbourne, Australia. 15th Mar, 2025. Lando Norris of McLaren celebrates taking pole position during Qualifying at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Victoria, Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Lando Norris takes pole in Australia GP qualifying - as Lewis Hamilton trails in eighth on Ferrari debut

Merritt Island, Florida, USA. 14th Mar, 2025. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Crew-10 astronauts lifts off from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Mar. 14.

SpaceX rocket finally launches to bring two stranded NASA astronauts back to earth after nine months

The body of 23-year-old Martine Vik Magnussen was discovered in a basement in Great Portland Street, London, in 2008

On-the-run suspect urged to hand himself in 17 years on from murder and rape of student found dead in basement

Pint of Guinness in front of different ale and beer pumps, The Merchant's Arch Bar & Restaurant, Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland

Guinness pint prices could soar to more than £6 due to Trump’s tariff war