ID Cards: A lost Battle?
Monday, July 7th, 2003 12:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
caddymanI 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.
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.
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(no subject)
Date: 2003-07-07 07:00 am (UTC)In today's Times there is a follow up article which suggests that the cabinet have gone cold on the idea for a number of reasons, not least of which is the cost...