Jeremy Clarkson calls on teenagers to work on farms instead of doing 'stupid' national service

• Clarkson's Farm star, 64, said he would pay teenagers to do the job

Jeremy Clarkson has called for teenagers to be sent to work on farms rather than being forced to carry out “idiotic” national service.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled his radical plan to restore national service for 18-year-olds in an article in the Mail on Sunday evening.

The prime minister said the policy, which would force teenagers to either enlist in the army or cyber defense forces or undertake unpaid community work, would make society “more cohesive” and strengthen the defense of the United Kingdom.

Clarkson, 64, a former Top Gear presenter turned passionate farming campaigner, described Mr Sunak's plan as “idiotic”.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “Here’s an idea. Instead of national service, which is obviously stupid, how about children working on farms.

Clarkson has been an unlikely high-profile campaigner for agriculture since launching his show Clarkson's Farm on Amazon Prime.

He said he would pay teenagers to carry out the work at his Diddly Squat farm in west Oxfordshire.

One social media user said they would happily come work on his farm, to which Clarkson responded: “If you worked hard and were willing to put your whole arm into a cow and never moan, we would take it” . You.'

He also said those who want to work at his Diddly Squat Farm Shop just need to be “bright, talkative and fun” because “we don't care about qualifications.”

Mr Sunak's explosive plans have blinded many, including those in his own party, but have been derided by Labor as a “gimmick”.

The Prime Minister said the “reinvented” program would “provide life-changing opportunities for our young people” and said: “As a father, I look forward to my two daughters doing their national service: I think They will find this a good thing. rewarding experience.'

He added: “Being British is about so much more than just queuing at passport control. »

Mr Sunak said: “This modern form of national service will mean young people gain the skills and opportunities they need that will stand them in good stead in life.

“It will foster a culture of service that will be incredibly powerful in making our society more cohesive and, in a more uncertain and dangerous world, it will strengthen the security and resilience of our country.”

The £2.5 billion manifesto pledge, which could see parents fined if their adult children do not take part and royals asked to sign up, has sparked criticism as well as support from conservative ranks.

Click here to resize this module

Some party members questioned the logic of landing the armed forces with “a bunch of yobbos” and “unwilling and unfit teenagers”.

And others have threatened to shift their support in the election to Reform UK because of the effect the policy could have on their own teenagers.

The remarks were made in a Conservative Party Facebook group that includes several sitting MPs, although they are not among the critics speaking out.

Meanwhile, Steve Baker, the Northern Ireland minister, broke ranks today to suggest the policy unveiled this weekend had been “imposed” on candidates with little or no warning.

Some former military leaders have also criticized it, while Labor has branded it the “teen dad army”.

But other ministers have spoken out in favor of this measure.

Veterans Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer, a former soldier, said: “Predictable reaction to the National Service policy from the usual quarters.

“Anything that unites communities with a sense of service and an awareness of what other organizations are doing is great. And it gives pride, purpose and challenge to those who often feel most left behind.

A voter sparked hilarity today when she told the Prime Minister her sons were “more brawn than brains”.

Click here to resize this module

The woman, introduced as Dawn from Stoke, made the joke as she pressed the Tory leader over his recently announced plans to introduce compulsory national service.

Telling Mr Sunak that her two sons are aged 20 and 29 – “nearly 30” – she added: “With no disrespect to them, they are more brawn than brains.

His bold statement sparked loud laughter at the event, with the Prime Minister telling him: “Let's hope they're not looking at us!”

Dawn said: “I have two sons who would definitely have benefited from it, but I wanted to know if it could be expanded to cover perhaps ex-prison inmates.

“I think some would benefit from the structure, guidance and rules provided by national service.

Responding to Dawn, Mr Sunak said he was “really excited” about the policy, which came as a shock announcement for many last weekend.

He said: “Since taking this role, I have spoken to many people about what we can do to truly transform our country for the better. For young people, as you said, doing something that really provides them with skills and opportunities is really going to transform their lives.

“I believe service gives you a purpose and I think it will be really great for young people to have that rite of passage that they go through with all that it teaches them and keeps them out of trouble.”

Military roles in the proposed national service program will be “highly competitive and selective”, he added.