NO2ID

John Welford · C-List Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 612 Location: Edinburgh

Nothing voluntary about new ID cards

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/letters/Interactive-Plenty-of-life-left.5701329.jp

IN YOUR leading article you welcome Gordon Brown's "long-overdue retreat on compulsory ID cards" (Brown's big speech: 'It seems Labour has no appetite for regicide', 30 September).

Unfortunately, Brown and his ministers are prone to indulge in outrageous doublespeak whenever they make any reference to ID cards.

For what Brown most certainly wasn't announcing in his speech at Brighton was the abolition of his ID cards programme – otherwise he would have clearly said so. So I'm afraid that it's still business as usual.

For the past five years the government has always insisted that ID cards will be introduced "on a voluntary basis". But the cards are to be "voluntary" only for those who have no wish to renew their passports, driving licences or any other documents the government decides to nominate.

Obviously then if you wish or need to travel abroad, for example, you will at some point be required to apply for or renew your passport. When you do so you will have your fingerprints compulsorily taken, and you will be automatically registered on the national identity database – the ID cards database. No choice.

You will be on this database for the rest of your life. And once you are on it you will not be allowed to leave it. It will electronically track your every move, and if you fail to update your record, say with a new address, you will be liable to a fine of up to £1000. It will be the most intrusive and expensive identity system anywhere in the world.

Gordon Brown and his ministers are happy to describe this as a voluntary ID card system. They are not telling the truth.
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John
http://www.jwelford.demon.co.uk/

Andrew Watson · Posted: Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:33:50 +0000 Post subject:

Great letter. In my experience newspapers often edit out observations that politicians aren't telling the truth - good to see that they left yours in.
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Andrew Watson

David Moss · A-List Joined: 07 Apr 2007 Posts: 2219

John Welford · C-List Joined: 07 Oct 2005 Posts: 612 Location: Edinburgh

Geraint · Posted: Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:28:22 +0000 Post subject:

Indeed, well done John - great letter!
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Geraint.
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