The PLP will continue their fight to end conscription, says Shadow Minister for Community, Cultural Development and Sport Michael Weeks.

“While the OBA refused to collaborate with the PLP on a Bill we brought forward to abolish conscription, we remain committed to seeing an end to the practice of drafting young men into the Regiment in 2014,” he said

His statement came after 130 new recruits turned up for the weekend’s boot camp — including 40 volunteers, a record number, half of whom were women.

Over the next two weeks they’ll learn drill and survival skills and be trained in the proper of firearms.

But Mr Weeks called conscription an “outdated practice”.

“It is unacceptable for there to be another year of OBA inaction on this issue,” he said. “The people want progress, not more promises and we intend to move Bermuda forward by ending this outdated practice.”

Shadow Minister for Public Safety Michael Scott added: “The role of the Bermuda Regiment in regards to internal security and disaster relief is critical and its transformation into a volunteer organisation must be handled in a manner that not only maintains, but improves the effectiveness of the Bermuda Regiment.

“As Shadow Minister with responsibility for the Bermuda Regiment, I understand that there is nothing more profound than the heart of the volunteer.

“I believe that this view is widely understood and that a volunteer Regiment has huge benefits for Bermuda.

“The PLP envisions a leaner volunteer driven Regiment that creates opportunities and careers for young Bermudians.

“Let’s end the practice of conscription and get on with moving Bermuda forward.

“For this recruit camp, I would be very interested to know how many volunteers have responded to the Regiment’s recent and widely disseminated advertisement campaign and offer of a cash incentive.

“(Commanding Officer Lt.) Col Foster-Brown is to be commended for spearheading this strategy and we look forward to seeing more ideas to increase volunteerism.”

In 2013, the PLP tabled the Abolition of Conscription Bill fulfilling the Party’s 2012 Throne Speech pledge to end the draft.

But Mr Scott noted the OBA had refused to allow the bill to move forward, delaying the abolition of conscription.

Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley has stated that the Government intends to end conscription.

The number of new recruits this year, 130, was notably higher than in previous years.

Last year 111 attended the training camp, including 20 volunteers, and just 84 soldiers took part in the camp in 2012, 19 of whom were volunteers.

Lt Col Michael Foster-Brown said: “We are delighted with the number of volunteers this year. It shows our message that the Regiment is a worthwhile and valuable organisation is getting through.

“We as a Regiment — and particularly the staff looking after the latest intake — are really looking forward to it. It’s a really rewarding experience watching them develop over the two weeks.”

For the first time, a new recruit will be posting a daily update on their experiences on the Regiment’s website and Facebook page.

“It’s a recruit’s view of the whole experience and we hope it will help demystify the Regiment and its training,” Col Foster-Brown added.