Kian Northcote

freelance writer

Speechwriting

profile

portfolio

cv

contact

My plans, for the reintroduction of national service, do not propose to teach our young men and women how to kill, but rather, how to live. Allow me to clarify this.
It is not my intention to promote violence, but to control it. I do not wish to teach aggression as a ready-made response, but as the final option.
Neither, is this an exercise in recruitment, a cheap way of bolstering our armed forces.

Our goal here is beyond such petty notions.
It is to provide our young with a sense of purpose and a sense of identity, which for many, is sadly lacking.

Since the abolition of National Service in 1958, we have seen a gradual decline in moral standards, with youth culture being replaced by yob culture.
We have witnessed a gradual depletion in our children’s play areas, we have witnessed an end to healthy competition, and above all, we have witnessed the rise of apathy, in relation to our laws and values.

For in allowing our young to be treated as adults, without first teaching them the responsibilities that go with it; in allowing them a greater sense of freedom, without first showing them the boundaries, how can we expect them to acknowledge the distinction between right and wrong?

The reintroduction of national service, for all eighteen year olds, could combat this social decline in a way that is both effective, and progressive. They would be encouraged to practise newly acquired skills and specialise in different trades. They would be drilled in the art of self-discipline, taught the value of hard work, stimulated by new friends and positive interaction. They would, in essence, learn key skills that would not only benefit them throughout the duration of their service, but throughout the duration of their lives.

And, what if once again we were forced to fight for our sovereignty? Would you rather be surrounded by those with no knowledge of war, no knowledge of how to fight, no knowledge of how to defend themselves? Or, would you rather be surrounded by a generation of soldiers?

Cheat to win: feature about diving in football

Dating craze liberates smokers: quirky feature about the dating phenomemon that has gwown out of Ireland's smoking ban

Playing God: a guide to writing video games

Hydrogen: Fuel of the Future? outside commission for Gasworld Magazine

The Game: opening chapter to a full-length novel

Speech: a short speech arguing in favour of National Service

Clocks: a short introduction to a possible novel