For many the idea of compulsory military service is a relic from a Bygone era. But in the United Kingdom talk of conscription has re-entered the national database, with one Liberal democrat MP saying it could be inevitable.
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00:00In 1914, the Great War had begun and Britain's army needed troops.
00:07There was no shortage of able and willing men eager to serve.
00:13Britain's army was really small, so it had to call on all of its resources.
00:18Millions joined up as volunteers.
00:20But that didn't deliver enough boots on the ground,
00:23and two years later, conscription was introduced.
00:26There were those who felt this was a restriction of liberties,
00:30that people shouldn't be forced to serve in the army or to serve the state.
00:35But it was felt that the crisis was so great,
00:37that the stakes were so high, that they had no choice.
00:40Even though conscription ended in 1960,
00:43talk of mandatory military service is back in public debate,
00:47with the UK and European countries already preparing
00:51for if Russia were to expand its war beyond Ukraine.
00:55In February, the British government announced an increase to its defence budget,
00:59marking the start of what it called a new era.
01:02We want to make sure that our armed forces are as strong as they can possibly be,
01:07that they are a credible deterrent force.
01:10But others believe conscription is the answer.
01:13UK MP Mike Martin recently stated,
01:16Obviously, if we get involved in a general war with Russia,
01:20we'll be conscripting the population.
01:22There's no question about that.
01:24And in Tunbridge Wells south-west of London, views on the topic were mixed.
01:28I do think it's a good idea generally.
01:30Obviously, I hope we never want to get to that point.
01:32I'm not the type of guy to want to go to the army.
01:35It's a bit scary.
01:37Vladimir Putin has announced the drafting of an additional 160,000 men into the Russian army,
01:43which is already believed to have about a million and a half troops.
01:47In comparison, here in Britain, there's just 100,000 armed forces personnel.
01:53Being a Labour MP, I know that there are no plans for conscription.
01:58And many are hoping those plans never change.