Johnson calls for compulsory national service scheme

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Did Boris stray from party line?

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has suggested Conservative leader David Cameron makes his proposed voluntary national service scheme compulsory.

Mr Cameron was explaining plans for all 16-year-olds to be able to join a two-month summer residential scheme during a London campaigning event.

Mr Johnson broke in and asked him: "Why don't you make it compulsory?"

Labour said it showed division in the party and the Lib Dems said the policy was "flimsy".

But the Tories laughed it off as a tongue-in-cheek comment.

Mr Cameron was outlining the proposals to allow every 16-year-old to have the opportunity to do citizen service, which were announced on Thursday.

As he was talking during the visit to Royal Hospital Chelsea, the mayor interjected and said: "I think it should be compulsory. Why don't you make it compulsory?"

The Tories' blond bombshell has struck again and shown that Cameron's policy doesn't really do what the spinmeister wants people to believe Lib Dem Ed Davey

Mr Cameron did not respond directly.

As he chatted with the pensioners, the Tory leader suggested that teenagers participating in the scheme could do some service with the Armed Forces.

He said: "It might have a military side. The military are keen to get involved."

Mr Johnson played down any potential policy disagreements with the party leader, telling BBC News there was a "sickeningly glutinous harmony" between the pair on all issues.

But Labour MP for Islington South & Finsbury, Emily Thornberry, said: "Even the most senior elected member of David Cameron's own party is challenging the Conservatives' future plans."

Meanwhile, the Lib Dem's foreign affairs spokesman, Ed Davey said: "The Tories' blond bombshell has struck again and shown that Cameron's policy doesn't really do what the spinmeister wants people to believe."

A Conservative spokesman said: "Boris fully supports National Citizen Scheme. He was joking earlier, as City Hall will confirm."