Five crucial jobs that will not be conscripted in the UK if WW3 begins
It's a time of great global unease with the current conflicts in the world. With the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the Gaza war and now a Israel/US war against Iran erupting in the Middle East, there are escalating fears about the prospect of a third World War.Conflict has spread across the Middle East in recent days after Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - who had led Iran since 1989 - was killed during strikes launched by the US and Israel on Saturday. In response, Iran has launched missiles and drones across the region, targeting Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Cyprus.The ongoing conflicts around the world have prompted questions from Brits about the likelihood of World War Three - and what would happen in that scenario. And, it seems, lessons can be learnt from the past.READ MORE: How to stay alive if WW3 breaks out and safest towns to live inEnsure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.Prime minister Keir Starmer has so far ruled out the prospect of conscription, but has said last month that Europe must be 'ready to fight' as it faces a growing threat from Russia.It's likely that if Britain did enforce it, there may be some jobs deemed too vital to national security to be made to fight, with some key vocations potentially spared conscription.During WW2, key workers who were excused from conscription were bakers, farmers, doctors, nurses and engineers. Of course, it's not clear what modern conscription would look like today.Men aged 20 to 22 were first called up for conscription in 1939, up to six months before the war actually broke out. According to the UK Parliament website: "During the spring of 1939 the deteriorating international situation forced the British government under Neville Chamberlain to consider preparations for a possible war against Nazi Germany."Plans for limited conscription applying to single men aged between 20 and 22 were given parliamentary approval in the Military Training Act in May 1939. This required men to undertake six months' military training, and some 240,000 registered for service."However, when war was declared, the age range was immediately expanded to include any man aged 18 to 41. "On the day Britain declared war on Germany, 3 September 1939, Parliament immediately passed a more wide-reaching measure."The National Service (Armed Forces) Act imposed conscription on all males aged between 18 and 41 who had to register for service. Those medically unfit were exempted, as were others in key industries and jobs such as baking, farming, medicine, and engineering."By the end of 1941, women and 'all childless widows' between the ages of 20 and 30 were called up, while men aged up to 51 were also called upon for military service. Even those aged 52 to 60 were required to take part in 'some form of military service'.It added: "The main reason was that there were not enough men volunteering for police and civilian defence work, or women for the auxiliary units of the armed forces."Those who refused to perform military service, bear arms, or participate in the war were known as 'conscientious objectors'. Often citing deeply held moral, ethical, or religious beliefs, they faced tribunal hearings, imprisonment, or performed alternative civilian service to help contribute to the war effort.On the subject of modern day conscription, Mike Martin, an Afghanistan veteran and the MP for Tunbridge Wells, told the Express: "There's a significant chance that it [war with Russia] might happen so we must be prepared."The Liberal Democrat issued a stark warning: "Obviously, if we get involved in a general war with Russia, we'll be conscripting the population - there's no question about that. But he emphasised the importance of strength as a deterrent."Being prepared generates deterrence, which decreases the likelihood [of war]. The whole point about building the military up is it decreases the likelihood of this happening. I think that's an important caveat. I've fought in wars, I'm not a warmonger. But I recognise that you've got to [pursue] peace through strength."Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Defence of Staff, recently said he 'cannot see conscription returning in the short term,' but did admit the situation could change if 'the situation in the world may deteriorate very quickly.'
