This CO Day, say no to military conscription! Sign the petition
Posted: 15th May 2026
Today, on International Conscientious Objectors’ Day (CO Day), a coalition of thirteen peace organisations including the PPU is launching a new petition calling on the UK Government to rule out military conscription.
With politicians and military figures calling for ‘national service’, and conscription on the rise across Europe, we must clearly and loudly oppose any future introduction of military conscription in the UK.
Conscription would represent a major attack on civil liberties. It would force young people to participate in war and militarism, at a time when peacebuilding and cooperation are so desperately needed.
Now is the time to raise our voices against this growing threat. Please sign and share the petition now!
Petition text
We, the signatories of this petition, are deeply alarmed by the rising debate on military conscription in the UK.
We call on the UK government:
- To rule out any future introduction of conscription – mandatory national service or registration – in the UK.
- To assert and uphold the rights of conscientious objectors, ensuring protection for those who refuse to participate in the armed forces.
For the first time in generations, the threat of conscription seems very real. We must act now to oppose it.
With heightened debate around insecurity, we are hearing growing calls for the re-introduction of some form of compulsory national service.
This would require Parliament to pass a new law, which could legislate for mandatory registration of young people, as is happening in Germany, and/or some form of compulsory national service.
Conscription, if introduced, would primarily target young people, depriving them of liberty and political agency. Members of the armed forces are required to fight, kill and die at the behest of the government.
A series of scandals has revealed high levels of abuse in the armed forces, especially affecting women and people of colour. Military service often has a long-lasting traumatising effect on service personnel and their families.
We reject conscription as a moral affront and an attack on human rights. It deprives young people of choices and opportunity at a vital time in their lives.
To force military service on the population would involve a colossal waste of funds. During a cost of living crisis these resources are desperately needed elsewhere.
With war escalating around the world and record number of civilian casualties, now is the time to stand up for peaceful and cooperative approaches to conflict resolution.
Joining the armed forces is a political and moral choice that should never be forced on anyone. As a matter of urgency, the government must rule out reintroducing military conscription in the UK!
The petition will be handed in to 10 Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence.
CO Day Events
Events to mark CO Day are taking place in towns and cities across the UK today, in solidarity with conscientious objectors worldwide.
Visit our website to find events in Brighton, Edinburgh, Leicester, Manchester, Norwich, Oxford, Sheffield, Wokingham and elsewhere.
The National Ceremony for CO Day will take place at 1-2pm today (15 May) in Tavistock Square, London.
Quick reminder – AGM & Conference
It’s tomorrow! Looking forward to seeing many of you at the PPU AGM & Conference in our office or online (16th May, 10.30 – 4.30pm).
The full schedule can be found here.
The event is for PPU members only – so if you’re not already a member, why not join us and come along? It’s going to be a really energising day and we’d love to see you there!
Help grow our network!
Join Us
The more of us there are standing up for peace, the stronger our movement becomes. If you’re not already a PPU member, consider following in the footsteps of many thousands by signing the Peace Pledge. In doing so, you’d join an active and growing network of pacifists championing nonviolence and opposing militarism across the UK.
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