There is no political or public support for bringing an end to conscription in Bermuda, the Governor said yesterday.

Sir John Vereker, Commander-in-Chief of the Bermuda Regiment, spoke out while visiting Warwick Camp to inspect this year?s recruits.

The conscription system has come under intense scrutiny recently after a group of 13 men in their 20s ? labelled Bermudians Against the Draft ? began a Supreme Court legal battle to have the policy declared unlawful.

But yesterday Sir John suggested the desire to abolish conscription is not widely supported in the community.

?There is no public support here. There is no political support here to change it,? he said.

He gave a similar answer when asked if the policy was discriminatory in that it only applies to men, saying: ?There is no public support here or political support to conscript women into the Bermuda Regiment.?

Members of BAD argue the conscription system is ?21st century slavery? and say mandatory military service breaches their right to freedom under the Human Rights Act and is gender biased because it applies only to young men.

Yesterday was the first time the Governor has spoken publicly about the issue, having previously refused comment.

But yesterday he said that conscription is lawful when volunteerism rates are inadequate to maintain the Regiment.

As he visited with the 167 recruits who started their training on Sunday and will finish boot camp on January 21, Sir John added that is important to remember that the Regiment provides a valuable service to the Island.

?I think the recruits should be proud of the Bermuda Regiment,? he said. ?I told the recruits there is a reason they serve in the Regiment. It is not just to have them stomp around in parades. Bermuda is a long way from anywhere and you don?t know what could happen, be it a tropical storm or something else.

?With the Regiment you have trained soldiers who can deal with things when they happen.?

The Governor said there is a misconception in some parts of the community that the Regiment is awful.

?I hear some people talk about it as if they are afraid of it, but if you talk to the recruits they are in good spirits,? he said. ?The Regiment is a good experience for many people. They meet friends from all walks of life and learn to live and work together.?

His sentiments were echoed by Regiment Commanding Officer Lt. Col. William White who said the Regiment aims to show recruits they are capable of more than they think.

He said recruits learn how to persevere and overcome obstacles during their time at boot camp and in the Regiment.

When asked if he had any comment for people who want to avoid serving in the Regiment, the Governor said: ?I would tell them to come down here and try it out. This is your opportunity to serve Bermuda. You get a lot out of Bermuda and this is your chance to give something back.?