A veteran has said that Brits would have be dragged “kicking and screaming” if we had to fight a World War as “people aren’t as patriotic” anymore.
A former Royal Marine Ben McBean, 36, who lost his leg and arm whilst serving in Afghanistan blamed “the way the country is being run.”
This comes after General Sir Patrick Sanders, Chief of the General Staff (CGS) warned it would need a “whole of nation undertaking” if World War Three breaks out to fight.
McBean was injured in 2008 said, “It’s not the same as back in the day, people aren’t as patriotic.
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“That mentality is gone and it is going to be hard to get it back. You would have to drag people in kicking and screaming to get them to conscript.
“The adverts don’t help, the recruiting system isn’t great, the recruiting office where I live has closed down.
“The way the country is being run, and then people being skint and underpaid, there’s not a lot of incentive to want to fight for this country, even if it’s your own country.”
General Sir Patrick also said that there has been a move in people’s mindset to join up and fight, however he does not want to bring in conscription.
The army chief said in a speech on Wednesday that the UK should “train and equip” the public for a “citizen army.”
The Dail Telegraph reported in a warning that British men and women need to prepare to be called up to fight should NATO and Russia enter conflict triggering Article 5.
General Sir Patrick said “regular armies start war,” but it is citizen armies who “win them.”
Downing Street has hit back over General Sir Patrick remarks that they will “find more people if it comes to war.”
Downing Street has said on Wednesday afternoon that they will not introduce a conscription model, and that joining the Armed Forces will remain “voluntary,” however the British armed forces has hardly any troops.
However, General Sir Patrick warned that the British Army has been cut back too much over the years and over the past 12 years it has shrunk by 28%.
When asked if Rishi Sunak could rule out conscription in future circumstances, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said, “There is no suggestion of that. The Government has no intention to follow through with that.
“The British military has a proud tradition of being a voluntary force. There are no plans to change that.”
