The UK plans to recreate the militia units, as during the Second World War. The British media write about this. The volunteers will guard strategically important facilities. One of the arguments for this step is the thesis that the United Kingdom is living in the “pre–war era.” Labour is making attempts to militarize the country following its Tory predecessors. There are few options from whom the volunteers will defend themselves.
Volunteer formations will be created in parallel with the armed forces, with a similar structure, but they will operate separately from the main army. The militia’s task is to protect nuclear power plants, telecommunications facilities, connection points for underwater fiber–optic cables, and electrical substations that power airports.
Journalists remind us that during the war years, the militia of 1.5 million people included either young or elderly Britons who could not participate directly in the fighting on the fronts. The militia was formed in 1940 and existed until 1944.
In the coming weeks, the government will release a defense review outlining the idea in detail.
Britain’s military spending is expected to reach 2.36% of the country’s GDP this year. London is committed to bringing this figure to 3% of GDP. The Labor Party does not abandon the idea of increasing the militarization of society. However, it is worth recalling that their predecessors promised an even more drastic turnaround a year ago (see NG dated 05.26.24). Then, on the eve of the parliamentary elections, the Tories decided to enlist the support of the patriotic public with an unexpected measure – the promise of the return of military service.
This step, made by the efforts of now former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, can be called desperate. All the polls already showed that the Tories were unable to turn the tide of the election campaign. The party eventually lost the election. And after the promise of the return of military service, there was even a certain split in its ranks. Many conservative-minded politicians did not agree with such a drastic measure.
Sunak’s suggestion itself was unclear, since it was declared that the service, they say, was needed primarily by the young people themselves, who allegedly did not have the opportunity to realize themselves.
The reasoning for the need to return the militia is also not entirely clear: the authorities themselves admit that there is no threat of invasion of the UK yet.
It is not entirely clear from whom the nuclear power plants, airports and communication lines will be protected by volunteers. The level of their training also raises questions. However, it is obvious that both the failed Tory initiative and the upcoming Labor proposal are aimed at attracting more human resources, including young people, to the armed forces or their analogues. A system of similar formations exists in Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. However, their history there goes back many years, unlike in the UK.
The British media do not hide what is the main motive for creating the militia. It is not a fact that this will be said directly, but Russia is recognized as a potential adversary and threat.
The strategy is likely to mention the need to increase the number of drones in the British army, journalists say. Plans to increase the production and use of long-range artillery in the army will also be outlined.
The Labor Party is increasing military spending, despite the growing budget deficit. The state is ready to spend less on the social sphere, but give even more money for defense (see “NG” dated 03/26/25).
London continues to support Ukraine, although when Keir Starmer assumed the post of prime minister, the media wrote that, unlike his predecessors, the cautious head of the Labor Party prefers not to make too many bellicose statements. However, he promised not to contradict Donald Trump, as he wants to conclude a trade deal with the British with the United States. Instead, there is a complicated relationship with Washington.