What would happen if you refused to serve in the UK when WW3 broke out? UK | news

During World War I, people would wave white feathers at men in the streets – as a symbol to shame those who refused to stand up and fight for their country. These ‘conscientious objectors’ often refused to fight for Britain in the 1914–1918 conflict against Germany for moral reasons. And as a result, ‘The White Feather Campaign’ was organised by women to publicly present men not in uniform with a white feather, as a symbol of cowardice.

It feels as if, with global tensions rising, the threat of another global conflict is closer than in the past – and the prospect of compulsory military conscription, especially for young men, may be very real. 2026 is mere days old, but the US has already invaded Venezuela and is holding urgent security meetings over threats to use its military to occupy Denmark’s sovereign territory, Greenland.

The prospect of WW3 is not something anyone relishes, but as Vladimir Putin’s push into Ukraine continues – and the US clashes with Iran over the Israel-Palestine conflict and threats to take nuclear weapons – it’s fair to say that the threat of a new global conflict feels more real than ever.

Ministers have said the UK needs to be prepared for ‘war in our homeland’, placing greater emphasis on a society prepared for the outbreak of conflict as well as pandemics, extreme weather and other national emergencies such as cyber attacks or infrastructure failure.

We don’t know exactly what recruitment would look like today, but we do have some historical precedents from the last global conflict, World War II.

Those who were conscientious objectors were sent to tribunals to have their cases heard. They had to go to court to argue their reasons for refusing to join, and if their cases were not dismissed, they were given exempt status and offered a non-combat job to aid the war effort.

The Parliament’s website explains: “Conscientious objectors had to appear before a tribunal to argue their reasons for refusing to join. If their cases were not dismissed, they were given one of several categories of exemption and given non-combat jobs.”

Even today, the rights of conscientious objectors are recognised by European courts.

A report on recruitment released in March 2025 by the UK Government outlines how it operates in other European countries in relation to the National Service today.

It states: “Most countries oblige men to serve, while offering women the opportunity to volunteer if they wish. Many countries also offer alternative civilian options for conscientious objectors. Some use a lottery model, meaning only a small proportion of eligible men are required to serve.”

It states: “The European Parliament’s Research Service briefing on compulsory military service states that all EU Member States with active conscription systems have recognised the rights of conscientious objectors through national legislation.”

For example, in Finland, men are required by law to serve, but conscientious objectors may be given non-military service.

In Greece, it is similar, with minimum conditions: “less than 12 months of military or 15 months of civilian service for conscientious objectors.”

Of course, while you may be offered a non-combat role should World War III break out, that won’t stop people on the street from waving white feathers at you.

As explained by the Peace Museum via the University of St Andrews: “The women of the ‘White Feather Campaign’ were militants in more ways than one: with passive aggression, they tried to shame men into joining and fighting in the war, believing that military participation was necessary and right.

“The symbol they used took some well-known peace imagery – the classic white dove – and twisted it to fit their public campaign. It is important to remember that, in their militarism, many of these women felt that they were ultimately working towards global peace: in their view, joining the ‘war effort’ was the best way to end the First World War. Their views were in sharp contrast to the moral pacifism of conscientious objectors, who sought a means to resolve the conflict. As argued against violence.