Oxford reacts to Rishi Sunak's national service plan

Under the Conservatives’ new proposal, young people would be given a choice between a full-time placement in the armed forces for 12 months or spending one weekend a month for a year “volunteering” in their community.

The plan has been met with controversy, with a recent poll of more than 1,500 Oxford Mail readers revealing that 33 per cent support the Prime Minister's new national service plan and 67 per cent do not support it.

In a separate poll of more than 500 readers, when given the choice, 31 per cent said they would chose the military and 69 per cent said community work. 

We spoke to people in Oxford to find out their views on the plan.

Alice Luker, a 24-year-old who works in Oxford, supports Mr Sunak's plans: “I think it’s a good idea - I think the younger generation almost have it a bit easy to be honest.

"I certainly did, and I know that’s how the older population feels.

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“I think it would improve our military capabilities and I think volunteering is quite nice to give back to the community.”

She added: “I do think it’s a shame because people may lose that bit of freedom as well.”

A teacher from Oxfordshire, who did not wish to be named, had concerns about it.

She said: “I don’t know how they’d enforce it. I think we need more information. It might suit some people but not others."

Another anonymous teacher who works in a secondary school, 52 and was visiting Oxford, said: “Has he met any teenagers recently? I can’t get them to do anything.”

Zoe Fredericks, a 53-year-old parent from Wantage, said: “I think it’s quite wishy-washy at the moment.

“Personally, I think they're having to stay on two years in education anyway, so to then do a year of voluntary service, I just think is asking a lot of them to be honest.”

She added: “It feels it has come out of the blue.”

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Zoe Fredericks (Image: Image: Newsquest)

John, 66 from Oxford, who did not disclose his surname, said: ‘It’s disappointing that our politicians have such a poor view of our young people.

“It only goes to underline how disconnected central politics are from what matters to us.”

On the other hand, Anne Walker from Witney, supports the plans.

She said: "There’s no discipline and it may stop that. It may teach 18-year-olds some respect, which is what this country is lacking."

Dennis Palfrey, 77 from Oxford, said: “I’m in favour, but I’m not quite sure how it’s going to work because people won’t want to do it.”