Identity Cards Act 2006:
An Act of Betrayal

Although the House of Lords held out five times against
the Government's plans, a last-minute deal before the
Easter recess saw the 'compromise' measure
proposed by Lord Armstrong adopted.

The ID Cards Bill was passed on 30.03.06, even though
Parliament's Science and Technology Committee (22.03.06)
expressed doubts on the technology involved.

Lord Thomas of Gresford commented that the government
had sneaked the compulsory element of ID cards in behind
an electoral promise that they would be voluntary.

The Lords' 'compromise' means passport applicants will
be able to opt out of getting an ID card until January 2010
- but will get no discount on their passport - and their
details will still be put onto the National Identity Register.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis called the deal
"a major climb-down by the government... nobody who does
not want an ID card need have one before the next election
- and that in itself is worth having".

Lib Dem spokesman Nick Clegg noted: "Within hours
of parading their so-called compromise, the Home Office is
already making it clear that it was little more than a tactical
manoeuvre to ram this legislation through Parliament without
any substantive change to the draconian reach and financial
costs of the ID database" and criticised the Conservatives.

Charles Clarke said that he believed there was an "appetite"
among the public for ID cards, which he said would bring
"massive benefits" for banks, law enforcement agencies and
"the individual citizen".

Well - why make them compulsory if there's so much 'demand'?"

The Home Office specialist website indicates that ID cards
are intended to be used (read: compulsory?) for many
areas of everyday life, such as accessing public and
commercial services, and even the Internet.

Footnote: Home Office Minister Lord Rooker told a Labour
Party fringe meeting in October 2001 that the government
had ruled out the introduction of compulsory ID cards.

Please do anything you can to help us stop the scheme -
which is already being dubbed 'New Labour's plastic poll tax'.

Date this page updated: 14 April 2006