'Putin will think we are all a soft touch!' Security expert calls for conscription in UK as it is 'time to save the West'

Heated debate over bringing back conscription to the UK
GB News
Gabrielle Wilde

By Gabrielle Wilde


Published: 20/02/2025

- 08:27

Updated: 20/02/2025

- 08:28

Donald Trump has blamed Ukraine for the escalating war with Russia

A leading security expert has called for Britain to implement a modern form of conscription amid growing concerns about the nation's military readiness.

Professor Anthony Glees, speaking to GB News, warned that the UK's conventional forces are dangerously inadequate for potential future conflicts in Europe.


The security and intelligence specialist proposed a new approach to conscription that would offer incentives such as free university education or mortgage assistance to encourage military service.

He also suggested that asylum seekers could repay Britain by signing up for military service.

Antony Glees

Antony Glees argued that without national service we will be "seen as weak"

GB News

The comments come after Donald Trump's recent controversial statements blaming Ukraine for the escalating war with Russia.

Adding to the tension, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth declared in Brussels that America was no longer primarily focused on European security.

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Speaking to GB News, security and intelligence expert Professor Anthony Glees told GB News: "The next war in Europe is not going to be about nuclear weapons. It's going to be about conventional forces, which is what we are seeing in Ukraine.

"We don't have enough soldiers. Some people say there were only about 45,000 troops we have in this country. We don't have enough defences.

"We don't have the correct anti-ballistic missile systems, no drones in this country. So we are very weak. We look very weak.

"What will impress Putin and deter him is if we start building up our conventional forces now and some form of conscription, offering free university or college education or help with their mortgages, whatever we can to get people to get military training, that would be very good.

British soldiers stand in front of a military vehicle

Experts have called for conscription in the UK

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"We could also ask people who've been granted asylum in this free country in recent years is to repay their gratitude by signing up. "

Glees explained: "It is absolutely crystal clear that if Trump sacrifices or tries to sacrifice the sovereignty of Ukraine and allows Putin to walk away with a win, Putin will think we are all a soft touch.

"So we need to do something right now to make it very clear that we are going to put money and resources into building up our conventional strength and protecting the United Kingdom from his awful missiles.

He added: "Now is not a time to be idle. Now is a time to be active and save the West from Putin and Trump."

Defence experts increasingly voice concerns about the UK's military capabilities.

Sir Richard Shirreff, Nato's former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, has issued a stark warning that conscription may become necessary in Britain.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Shirreff said: "Though many will find it unthinkable, we must be prepared to call up our reservists and make plans for conscription. Trump has left us no other choice."