Army chief warns Britain 'is going to need you to fight' as politicians prepare to have frank war sacrifices talk

General Sir Roly Walker told 700 soldiers at Catterick Garrison that British citizens will soon be asked to make 'sacrifices' to defend the nation, warning that 'war is no longer unthinkable'. He said political leaders will shortly have a 'frank conversation' with the public about 'where the red lines are' and what the country must be prepared to do. Walker urged soldiers to ready themselves to 'take the fight to the enemy', while Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton said future crisis preparedness would need to draw in civil society and emergency services.

Polling suggests up to half of Britons would refuse to fight under any circumstances.

The same survey found that a majority of the country backs higher defence spending, however.

Walker called the current geopolitical climate 'a very dangerous time' and said the 'business of soldiering' is returning to public consciousness.