NO2ID Cards (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

NO2ID Cards

December 21, 2004 12:00 AM

UK National Identity Card (Design Mock-up)

NO2ID Cards

Yesterday saw the House of Commons vote on the Second Reading of the Identity Cards Bill. the Government won the vote by 385 to 93 - a majority of 292 with 173 abstentions. The Liberal Democrats are fundamentally opposed to the introduction of ID Cards and all 55 Liberal Democrat MPs voted against the Bill's Second Reading.

The new Home Secretary Charles Clarke also admitted that the government would bring in compulsory identity cards once a voluntary system had been accepted by the British public. The Liberal Democrats believe that ID Cards will do little to tackle terrorism and the money would be better spent on more resources for the intelligence services and 10,000 more police officers.

Mark Oaten MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary said:

"The Government promised the public a voluntary scheme in the first instance, It is now clear that anyone who applies for a passport during the `voluntary` period will be added to the ID cards register whether they like it or not. We`re sleepwalking into a fundamental change in our society. People will need a card to gain access to basic services. This Bill would ultimately bring us compulsory identity cards."