Moreover, China continues to threaten to sovreignty of Taiwan. It is no wonder then that a conversation is ongoing as to whether the UK could roll out some sort of conscription if the the worst were to happen. The Defence Secretary, John Healey, has insisted that Britain does not need it. However, considering this government’s many U-turns since coming to power and the volitility world events, it surely cannot be ruled out completely.

Mr Healey himself hinted at being interested in it during a trip to Norway last year.

Full list of European nations with conscription

A number of European countries already have some sort of conscription, as outlined by a House of Commons research paper from March 2025.

Below is its low down of the nations on the continent that mandate military service.

If the UK were to adopt a method of conscription, it may be based on one of the models above.

A European Union (EU) briefing described the different types currently in place: mandatory service, a lottery-based system and selective compulsory service.

The first is usually done in cycles.

The second uses special software, which typically calls at least one person per municipality.

And selective service is done based on individuals’ “motivation, interest in the military and level of education”.