Sunak hints at tough penalties for young Britons avoiding National Military Service

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has hinted at potential penalties for young people who refuse to participate in national service.

The leader who faces re-election, during an interview raised the possibility that youngsters in the United Kingdom might face restrictions on "driving licences, or the access to finance, all sorts of other things" if they don't comply withthe proposed Conservative policy of compulsory national service for all 18-year-olds.

During a BBC Question Time Election Special, when pressed on whether this could extend to denying bank cards, Sunak responded, "There's lots of different models around Europe."

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Why should the people trust the Conservative Party? Sunak answers

Guardian reports that the tone of the evening was set by the first question to Sunak, highlighting the quick turnover of five Tory prime ministers, including Liz Truss's brief tenure: "I am asking if you would confess to us tonight even just a small amount of embarrassment to be leading the Conservative party?"

Throughout his session, Sunak faced tough questions on why the public should trust the Conservative Party after 14 years in power.

Sunak urged people to judge him on his record but faced questions about why young people should trust him given the "shenanigans with the Tory party." Host Fiona Bruce noted, "There’s a bit of a theme emerging."

He also faced heckling withpeople shouting "shame" for refusing to commit to keeping Britain in the European Convention on Human Rights.

Addressing allegations of betting on the general election date, Sunak said that he was "incredibly angry" about the issue. He was further questioned on why Brexit was absent from the current Conservative manifesto, a query that drew applause from the York audience.

Regarding NHS waiting lists, Sunak admitted that progress was slower than desired. Sunak said that his government hasn't "made as much progress as I would like" but insisted that things were improving. However, the sceptical audience member who asked this question responded, "No," when asked if they were convinced by Sunak's answer. Another attendee, a doctor, criticised his NHS plans, commenting, "People are suffering."

Pre-poll questioning

Thefour-party leadership BBC Question Time Election Special was held in York, northern England and also featured Labour leader Keir Starmer, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, and SNP leader John Swinney.

Before Sunak, Starmer faced tough questions, with one audience member highlighting "all of the backtracking on policies from Labour."

Starmer defended his positions, emphasising the need for tough choices, such as deciding between reducing NHS waiting lists and removing student tuition fees.

On his turn, Ed Davey faced criticism over the Lib Dems' role in the 2010-15 coalition government, with one audience member accusing him of enabling "Cameron's and Osborne's austerity." Davey admitted he was "not proud" of some coalition policies and acknowledged that his party had "promised what we couldn't deliver."

SNP leader John Swinney was questioned about recent scandals within his party and said that herealised his party needed to "rebuild the trust of people in Scotland."

(With inputs from agencies)