Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has revealed that he will introduce mandatory national service for 18-year-olds should his party win the general election. But what do Darlington residents think about this? Kayleigh Fraser went to find out.

Twelve months in the military or volunteering in the community - this is the reality that 18-year-olds could be facing should the Conservative party win re-election on July 4.

Mr Sunak revealed the policy days after his rain soaked speech outside Number 10 where he called a snap general election, under two years after he secured Tory leadership off the back of Liz Truss.

Explaining the policy, the PM says “generations of young people who have not had the opportunities they deserve” and claimed the policy would help unite society in an “increasingly uncertain world”.

Critics from across the political divide have dismissed the plans as unserious while leading military figures expressed skepticism about how they would work and suggested the money would be better spent on armed forces investment.

Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer slammed the policy as “a sort of teenage dad’s army”, dismissing it as the opposition eyes giving votes to 16 and 17-year-olds should they win the trust of the British public.

But, what do Darlington locals really think about this policy? Is it really a good idea?

“I think it’s a good thing”, said John Towner, who was visiting the town.

“It gives young people a challenge instead of milling about the streets. We have been saying this for years. I would have done it myself if I was their age.”

“If it gets people out then it’s good when they are usually up to mischief,” added Glynis O’Neill.

Jamie Kenley was visiting town from Stockton with his young children – and believes the policy could be good if it’s done right.

He said: “In some ways I can see how it would work, it is being done in other countries.

“I think it is quite a good idea if you are someone who doesn’t go into higher education or maybe if you have no other aspirations.”

One mum, who was visiting the town with her children, spoke negatively of the proposed scheme.

“I don’t think it is a fair thing to do to our children”, she said.

“Why should they have to do something when the older generations didn’t have to?”

Another couple who were making their way along High Row believe the policy could have promise  - but questioned what it would really entail.

They said: “I can see the different sides of it, and I do like the idea of national service on the whole.

“But what the army will do with them, I don’t know.”

In a parliamentary written statement on behalf of the Government, defence minister Andrew Murrison said it could damage morale if “potentially unwilling” recruits were forced to serve alongside armed forces personnel.

The Tories estimate their proposed scheme will cost £2.5 billion a year by the end of the decade and plans to fund £1 billion through plans to “crack down on tax avoidance and evasion”.

The remaining £1.5 billion would come from funds money previously used for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), a key part of the levelling-up agenda which supports local charities and community groups, the party said.

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But former Conservative defence secretary Michael Portillo said the policy had apparently been produced “like a rabbit out of a hat”.

Speaking on GB News, he said: “Has this been prepared with the armed services? Has this been prepared with charities?

“Do we know the cost… Why does the Conservative Party always seem to stand for an enlargement of the state?”