NO2ID

Is there any way for Nulabour to drop ID cards without losing enormous amounts of political face?

What about a little refreshing honesty - "We got it wrong, guys. So we are dropping it."

Nah... never gonna happen.

They could let the Lords block it and then use this as an excuse to complete the reform of the House of Lords to make it "more democratic and representative" that they promised way back in 1997.

Since the US are dropping the biometric passport issue, I think that is sufficient justification.

"The technology isn't ready".

Blair's successor could more easily reverse the policy.

Particularly if he thinks he might have trouble with the proles.

Today's news that Government borrowing is currently hugely over target, and that serious remedial action (ie tax increases equal to as much as 3% on income tax, serious spending cuts, or, most likely, a mixture of both)will have to be included in the next budget surey gives them a graceful way out.