News of the Conservatives’ plan to reintroduce national service for young people should it win the next general election continues to dominate Monday’s front pages, with the Daily Mirror calling it “desperate”. The move would “cost billions” and is “the last thing the military needs”, the paper says. It adds that a “leaked paper failed to rule out jailing those not signing up”
There’s more criticism of the Tories’ national service plan in the Guardian, with the paper quoting an ex-military chief describing it as “bonkers”. Adm Lord West, a former chief of the naval staff, told the paper that “we need to spend more on defence, and – by doing what [Sunak is] suggesting, money will be sucked out of defence”. Also on the front is a picture of some ecstatic Southampton fans as they go “marching in to the Premier League”, after winning the Championship play-off final on Sunday
The Daily Telegraph adds that young members of the royal family would not be exempt from national service, should the plan go ahead. Exemptions from the scheme will be “very limited”, the paper says, and royal children – such as Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – would be “expected to take part”. Teenagers would be required to participate “regardless of whether they are at university, have a job, or are on a gap year”, it continues
Despite the criticism, the prime minister will “double down” on these plans on Monday, according to the Financial Times. The paper quotes Rishi Sunak as saying he wants to make sure young people “can get the most” out of the scheme, and is looking at ways of doing so. But the FT says a defence minister in his government “rejected” the plan just last week
Mr Sunak is “[fighting] back” after the plan was “ridiculed”, according to the front page of the Daily Mail. The paper says that Mr Sunak has “assured voters that it would open doors for teenagers”, after “a heated debate” about the scheme over the weekend
Also defending the plan is Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who is quoted in Monday’s Daily Express as saying it will “toughen up” Britain’s youth, as well as boosting the country’s “resilience”. He adds that the recruitment of thousands of young people for a year-long stint in the armed forces is what the military “sorely needs”
Elsewhere, the i reports on Labour’s plans should it win the election on 4 July. The paper says Labour would “rely on private finance” to fund its plan “to rebuild Britain”. A “10-year strategy” – which would include major road, railway and housing projects – would be set out by leader Sir Keir Starmer “within a year” of becoming prime minister, the paper adds.
The party would also carry out a “100-day review of all the threats facing Britain” – including artificial intelligence, Russia and Iran – should it come to power, The Times reports. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper told the paper “clear, sharp leadership and direction” was needed as the country risks “being outpaced by its adversaries”. Featured prominently on the front page is a picture of Mark Long, who was named as the RAF pilot who died when his Spitfire came down in Lincolnshire on Saturday
And the Daily Star leads on what it calls “soggy bottom Monday”, as it says the country can expect to see “12 hours of rain” on the bank holiday. Meanwhile two Manchester football celebrations are pictured at the top of the front page – with the paper reporting “inside” Manchester United’s celebrations after they won the FA Cup on Saturday, as well as Manchester City being “out on the crown” on Sunday to celebrate their Premier League title win
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