ID Cards: A lost Battle?

[caddyman]

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. But I really hoped that HM Government would listen to the results of its own consultation paper.

But no.

The Sunday Times tells us that Home Secretary, David Blunklett is to press ahead with the introduction of compulsory ID Cards in the UK for everyone over the age of 16.

The home secretary has rejected voluntary entitlement cards and instead will require all citizens to have identity cards. Each card will contain biometric data, such as an image of a person’s iris or fingerprint, so police and other authorities can confirm the holder’s identity.

This wonderfully intrusive document will, to add insult to injury, cost each and every one of us £40.

The government will hold information about the population on a central computer database - a move that will further alarm civil liberties groups.

In a letter to fellow cabinet ministers dated June 25, Blunkett says: I believe that the case for introducing a universal identity card in the UK is overwhelming. The consultation exercise showed strong public support for a card scheme and a preference for the term ‘identity card’ rather than ‘entitlement card’.

Odd thing to say really, given this report from the BBC, who hold a different opinion yet again, from Her Majesty's Government.

He adds: The argument that identity cards will inhibit our freedoms is wrong. We are strengthened in our liberty if our identity is protected from theft; if we are able to access the services we are entitled to; and if our community is better protected from terrorists and organised criminals.

Quite.

And how long will that last?

At this rate, I think I might have to start looking at the price of jack boots and black shirts.

Comments

[maleghast.livejournal.com]

(cont. from previous post)

I suppose, in truth, I should trust in my other instincive response to these proposals to protect me from all of this invasion into my personal space and the very thing that makes me who I am - identity. This is because I cannot see any way in which I could accept the reality of a compulsory Identity Card System that extended to a National, Biometrically Verified, Identity Database. This concept is not only wrong it is ludicrous! I have several friends and acquaintances that work at some level for government, whether directly or indirectly, at Central or Local level - how on Earth anyone could believe that this government is capable of securely and safely managing a database of over 59 million people without the data therein becoming either unmanageable or put to misuse is beyond me! They cannot even successfully build information systems that communicate effectively between government departments within the relatively small confines of the capital. No two Local Government systems are the same around the country except through happy accident.... I do not relish the possiblity of my identity being 'safeguarded' against fraud by a government controlled system at all. If nothing else were to speak to the facts of how ill advised this course could be for this country, then simple lack of expertise or will (or both) should be the check that holds us from this draconian course.

Has the belief in a Social Contract binding us one to another in a climate of peace and law through selfish advantage been squashed so completely that we must surrender our trust in one another to pieces of plastic? What does this say about our society - do we truly fear one another so much? Fear is the root of this measure in terms of husbanding acceptance in the political arena - "If we all have ID cards, then terrorists will not kill us all" - but if a well financed terrorist can get a forged passport, then I give the system four weeks at a maximum before the more intelligent criminals and terrorists are spoofing it like mad to wander about our fair Isle unimpeded and helped along their merry way - "He must be alright Joe, he's got an ID card." "Right you are Sergent - on you go sir.'Ere Sarge! Isn't that a shotgun under his coat?..."

The answer to the terrorist threat in the short term is better intelligence coupled with public vigilance as opposed to fear. The long game will be won by the states willing to stand up and deal - not with terrorists - but with those from their cultures with influence - those who wish a different end for their sons and daughters than walking onto planes, trains and buses with C4 and their holy book of choice strapped to their upper bodies. ID cards will bring us a new problem to deal with, a new way to take money from we taxpayers and no real benefit - aside from making us easier to control, find and manipulate. I swear, I can think of no better reason to emigrate - I just don't think I'll have the money to do it or a job to go to, and besides Canada is still a Dominion of the British Commonwealth; who's to say they might not follow where Old Blighty leads? I've ranted enough - If there's a march I'll be on it... Bring your own scissors!