latest from the uk s general election campaign trail, as the conservatives announce they will introduce mandatory national service for 18 year olds if they win the general election. they said it would give the next generation an opportunity to learn real world skills while contributing to the country and local communities. our political correspondent leila nathoo report. and eye catching policy from the conservatives early on in the conservatives early on in the campaign, grabbing headlines in the papers this morning. they say that if they win the general election, by the end of the next parliament that would bring back a form of mandatory national service for every 18 year old. that would involve either applying for one of 30,001 year placements in the armed forces or cyber defence or young people would have to volunteer in communities for one weekend a month in organisations such as charities of the police or nhs. the tories say it would cost £2.5 billion a year but key de