ID Card Bill re-introduced...

**Matt D** · 17-05-2005, 22:28

But first:

The original merged uber-thread on ID cards: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=11637

The more recent thread, started when the Bill was dropped before the end of the last Parliament (April) - http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=26810

And now... it's back

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4554827.stm

Quote:

Government unveils ID card scheme

Controversial plans to introduce a compulsory identity card scheme have been unveiled in the Queen's Speech.

The cards, which had to be dropped ahead of the election, will be linked to a National Identity Register holding information on all UK residents.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke said there had been "technical" changes to the new bill to take account of previous objections to the plans.

The Lib Dems say the plans could be defeated with Tory and Labour support.

Ministers say the new Identity Cards Bill will help protect people from identity fraud and theft, and tackle illegal working and immigration abuse.

(snip)

Hmm. "Technical" changes?????

Still a waste of money. Still unlikely to help against terrorism. Still unlikely to help against illegal-immigration. And I bet the database is likely to be a massive balls-up, massively over-budget, & generally your usual Govt IT screw-up.

**Paul M** · 17-05-2005, 22:32

Yep - no great surprise here - and the monumental **** up they make of it will be no surprise either.

Steve H · 17-05-2005, 23:00

****** Scum of a goverment. Enjoy your last term, Blair... AND labour.

bmxbandit · 17-05-2005, 23:14

it would be laughable, if it wasn't so expensive

bopdude · 17-05-2005, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve H

****** Scum of a goverment. Enjoy your last term, Blair... AND labour.

The words Thatcher and Poll Tax come to mind

no big supprise, apart from the fact it came so soon after the election.

Damien · 18-05-2005, 07:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

The words Thatcher and Poll Tax come to mind

no big supprise, apart from the fact it came so soon after the election.

Voters knew about this, Labour said they would bring it back when they canned it at the start of the election and it was in their manifesto

18-05-2005, 07:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Voters knew about this, Labour said they would bring it back when they canned it at the start of the election and it was in their manifesto

That's a dangerously optimistic view of the awareness of the average voter in this country.

Ramrod · 18-05-2005, 07:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr wadd

That's a dangerously optimistic view of the awareness of the average voter in this country.

Yep, they voted labour back in after all!

Damien · 18-05-2005, 15:57

Just pointing out that it wont be as hard now. Lords dont usually stop bills that are in the manifesto. As well as making it harder for other MP'S to stop it. It also makes it harder for the rebels to push against it it. This time Labour made it clear they would do this if elected, and now they are.

Tuftus · 18-05-2005, 17:33

Personally I do not really mind about carrying an ID card.

Damien · 18-05-2005, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuftus

Personally I do not really mind about carrying an ID card.

Nor do i. Not for terrorism reasons though. I just like the handy way i can use it as an ID. Doesnt it double as a passport within EU and a driving licence?

Tuftus · 18-05-2005, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Nor do i. Not for terrorism reasons though. I just like the handy way i can use it as an ID. Doesnt it double as a passport within EU and a driving licence?

Exactly, less cack to carry around and since I am not a terrorist that is not really a concern to me neither...

**Matt D** · 19-05-2005, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuftus

Personally I do not really mind about carrying an ID card.

Do you also not mind the price?

Do you also not mind all the info it will contain?

Do you also not mind all the info the national ID database, which the cards will be linked too, will contain?

Do you think that the Government will actually produce a secure & efficient ID database, on budget & on time, given their long track record of failed & vastly over-expensive IT projects?

Tuftus · 20-05-2005, 07:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

Do you also not mind the price?

Do you also not mind all the info it will contain?

Do you also not mind all the info the national ID database, which the cards will be linked too, will contain?

Do you think that the Government will actually produce a secure & efficient ID database, on budget & on time, given their long track record of failed & vastly over-expensive IT projects?

Not really, ok I take you point about the cost issue but the vast majority of the info is probably held on numerous other databases anyway.

I also accept your final point about the track record, the new CSA system being a case in point.

**Chris** · 20-05-2005, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

It also makes it harder for the rebels to push against it it.

You really think so, do you? Heavens, you really do have a rose-tinted view of your favourite political party. It only needs about 34 of them to vote against the Government to bring this Bill down. Judging by the noises they were making over the last Bill, that doesn't look like an unassailable figure.

Let's not forget, what we are looking at here is a completely different House of Commons to the last two. New Labour has been a painful and insulting project to a great many dyed-in-the-wool old Labourites but the huge majority Blair commanded in the Commons after 1997 and 2001 meant he could pretty much ignore their carping. Now he is working with a far smaller majority we will soon find out just how well he can control the awkward squad.