LONDON — Home Secretary James Cleverly has sparked debate with his proposal for mandatory national service for all 18-year-olds, a plan he says aims to reintegrate young people into society.

According to Cleverly, the initiative, disclosed on the BBC's "Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg" program, is designed to counter societal fragmentation by exposing youths to diverse social, economic, and religious groups.

The Conservatives' plan, contingent on their victory in the upcoming general election, would require young people to participate in either military or non-military service.

The scheme includes 30,000 selective placements in military roles such as cyber security and logistics, lasting a full year for those deemed the "brightest and best." Others would engage with non-military organizations like the NHS or the police for 25 days across the year.

Cleverly emphasized that there would be no criminal penalties for non-participation, stating, "There’s going to be no criminal sanction - There's no one going to jail over this."

However, the proposal has met with skepticism and criticism from opposition parties. Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves dismissed the idea as "another gimmick" with unrealistic funding, criticizing the Tories for reallocating funds from the levelling up budget to finance the scheme.

Reform UK’s honorary president Nigel Farage called the plan "a joke" and "totally impractical," criticizing the Conservative leadership for their approach.

The Liberal Democrats and SNP also expressed disapproval, suggesting the plan is a poorly conceived attempt to solve broader issues with insufficient resources. Meanwhile, the Scottish Conservatives showed support for the initiative, citing successful similar systems in Scandinavian countries.

Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer criticized the relevance and utility of the scheme, advocating instead for solutions that address young people's needs for affordable housing, education, and well-paying jobs. — BBC