A Finnish Defence Forces soldier confers with U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers May 28, 2026, during Exercise Karelian Sword 26 near Kouvola, Finland. Karelian Sword is a multinational training exercise designed to strengthen interoperability and readiness for the more than 10,000 troops participating from across the Finnish Defence Forces and partner nations. Approximately 35 Virginia National Guard Soldiers, primarily assigned to the 237th Engineer Company, will spend two weeks in Finland training alongside their Finnish counterparts. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terra C. Gatti)

In a letter to the editor submitted to The i Paper, we argue that Britain should not romanticise Finland’s conscription model. We challenge claims that compulsory service improves fitness, strengthens defence willingness, or creates a truly mobilisable million-strong reserve. Instead, we contend that Finnish defence resolve is driven by Russia’s proximity and Finland’s historical experience, not by coercive military service. Our letter warns that importing the Nordic model would sacrifice liberty without making the United Kingdom safer.

Read the entire piece in SpeakFreely Magazine.