Iran is someone else's war': Readers on why Gen Z won't fight

"Readers noted that unlike their grandparents, Gen Z have grown up facing student debt, a broken social contract, climate change, and a global pandemic, making it harder to feel loyalty to a country they see as failing them."

"Some said they would only consider fighting if Britain faced an immediate, unprovoked invasion threatening their way of life, comparing it to the clear moral purpose of the Second World War."

"Most, however, were reluctant to be called up for conflicts driven by foreign powers, citing lack of trust in political leaders and the unfairness of being forced into a war they did not choose or agree with."

A debate about whether young Britons would fight in a war generated significant reader response to The Independent. Gen Z commentator Thomas Horn sparked discussion by questioning whether his generation would enlist for conflicts not of their making, particularly regarding potential UK involvement in a US-led Iran war. Readers attributed their reluctance to fight to multiple factors: student debt, broken social contracts, climate anxiety, and pandemic trauma. Most stated they would only consider military service if Britain faced direct invasion threatening their immediate survival, comparing such scenarios to World War II's moral clarity. Widespread distrust of political leadership and resentment at potential conscription into foreign-driven conflicts dominated responses. Readers emphasized the generational divide, noting their grandparents' willingness to serve contrasted sharply with contemporary disillusionment and perceived government failure.

Read at www.independent.co.uk