@process
Nope! Not on your Nelly!
Our garden is a private wee escape.
It’s great for our mental health.
It’s the only real exercise I get after sitting in a car all day.
It’s a wee suntrap that brings in loads of butterflies and bees.
#cosogardening

@process I suppose they can put all these 18 year olds onto beaches to help ‘stop the boats’

@Mandypar 😂😂😂

@process @Mandypar @homebird

I remember when Thatcher was elected in ‘79, one of the first ‘experiments’ were camps that promised a ‘tougher regime’ for ‘depriving young football hooligans of their leisure time’

Willie Whitelaw famously declared
“These will be no holiday camps
We will introduce on a regular basis
Drill, parades, and inspections
From 6:45am 'til lights out at 9:30pm
Life will be conducted at a brisk tempo}

That worked as well as this will.

@Mandypar @homebird

There are a lot who could do with it. And there is, supposedly, the option of monthly work. But, what if the vast majority ‘opt’ for the monthly? Where will they all be placed? What if they ‘opt’ not to cooperate? What will the punishments be?

We all know which level of society this is really aimed at. And I doubt they will be given much choice in where they are sent.

I still, though, think this is a dead cat intended to distract from some other real arguments.

@mcfate
If this comes about - and I’m nowhere near certain it will as it’s more than likely just a dead cat to deflect from other issues - university study, apprenticeships and other youth opportunities will be absolutely trashed. Just to serve a desperate vanity project.

@mcfate
Police forces, fire services etc who’ve also faced massive cuts, and had to fight for a decent wage just to do their jobs, will also have to make room for weekenders.
And how will it be paid for? From the Shared Prosperity Fun. From the money cities have been promised to ‘level up’.
/

@mcfate
Now they’ll likely have to act as a glorified community centre for kids who won’t want to be there. How will this improve the military?
Look at the Argentine or Russian conscripts, and how many simply dropped their guns and ran, or surrendered, to see how effective that is.
/

@mcfate
As if we haven’t been treating the youth of this country like shit for years - lower minimum wage, no housing entitlement, taking away their right to live, work, & study in 27 countries- the government are now saying “don’t worry, we’ll keep you studying maths until your 18, then stick you in the army for a year.”
The British armed forces, too, have suffered under these clowns; reduction after reduction, until it’s barely recognisable as being any force at all.
/

@mcfate
Will I tell you why I’m against it?
Well, I’m sure there are some kids who will welcome, and benefit from, this idea, but the vast majority will not. British society has changed dramatically from what it was in years gone by, and good luck convincing any 18 year old to leave home for the military. Most can’t even organise their own driving lessons these days.
A huge number already have anxiety, and self esteem, even self-identity issues.
/

@mcfate @Bliss
I wouldn’t back it no matter who proposed it.

@mcfate @Bliss
No. We are talking about a Tory policy here. It will be worked to make sure that the entitled little pricks that attend Eton, Oxford, Cambridge etc have nice little cushy weekend numbers, while the working class kids end up in the forces for a year. It’s the Tory way, after all.

@stueytheround
They sold their souls

@mcfate @Bliss
I doubt very much that the choice will be as simple as that. At some point there will be a realisation that the military option is the only one the kids with no money will have.

@stueytheround
😂😂😂😂 Well, they did do really well when given a seat at the table with the Tories. What could possibly go wrong this time?

@Coctaanatis
Of course, the Tories have gradually defunded and destaffed the armed forces over many years, so basically, we need to get some more bloody troops before we engage with Russia.

@Bliss
For one year in the military, or for one weekend per month for a year with essential services such as the police, fire department, or NHS

@stueytheround
Have to conclude that Sunak is pursuing a scorched earth policy with the Tories. Will be unelectable for decades.

@q00w2
Have always thought that, when MPs vote to go to war, their kids should be the first to be handed a rifle and uniform. Think that would easily end the bloodlust.

@Coctaanatis
The UK used to pride itself on its professional armed forces. Men and women who volunteered, gained exceptional training, and delivered amazing service.
Can’t see how the Forces’ Generals will be happy about this latest vanity project.