The prospect of war looms heavy on the horizon; hanging over our heads for the first time in generations. And so with it, the inevitable conversation arises: the military draft. A cruel, antiquated and sexist system, where historically, men and boys have been selected, plucked from their homes and families, handed a rifle, and against their will, sent to die for their country. It is a system that has led to the deaths of millions of men, over the centuries. Deaths resulting from the worst possible circumstances, onto which our entire concept of modern democracy and freedom has been built. Such brave sacrifices fade into the fog of history, yet without such sacrifices, none of what we currently have, or cherish, could ever have existed. Similarly, many of us thought that the military draft had been consigned to the history books. But I imagine there were people in Ukraine who felt this way too, until the cold boots and iron wheels of a tyrant rolled into their country. And so, we’re haunted by the same images of broken fathers waving goodbye to their children, and wide-eyed young men given a gun, a handful of ammo, and told to fulfil his role as a man, without question. Now such a reality could be coming to the UK, with the head of the British army hinting at a ‘whole country effort’ when it comes to war, that many believe means conscription. So the questions begin again – Who should be drafted, for what roles and how? What about women; should they serve, and where? And most terrifying of all, if your number came up, would you answer the call? What do you think? ~ Sources YouGov Poll  The draft across the world  US Civil War  World War 1  World War 2  Vietnam War  Images by Eduard Deloitte, and Getty.

2024-03-05