General Sir Richard Sherriff tells Sky News that even if Russia is defeated in the war against Ukraine, it is going to remain determined to rebuild another empire, subjugate Ukraine, and then move on to other ex-Soviet countries, like NATO members. That could mean war with Russia.
First: a general thinks war is imminent? What a surprise.
That said, 74k troops does seem pretty low.
I think conscription has some value because if anyone can get called up at any time then a broader swath of the public has an incentive to oppose war. An all volunteer army means you’ve primarily got people who want to fight (not ideal from a favoring peace standpoint) or those who are economically disadvantaged, and who disproportionately bear the brunt of hawkish foreign policy.