Smith to unveil airport ID scheme

**Maggy J** · 06-11-2008, 07:41

Quote:

Workers at two airports will be used to test UK national identity card, the government is expected to announce.
The Home Office's delivery plan for the ID cards said they would be issued to airside workers at all the country's airports from the second half of 2009.

link

And so it begins..

BBKing · 06-11-2008, 09:36

Actually, this is almost good news - the original plans met with such opposition that the Home Office scaled it back to just two airports (one of which is the tiny London City) and had to shell out money because the operators refused to contribute (on the basis that they take security seriously enough, thanks).

It also knocks the project back beyond the next election.

**Chris** · 06-11-2008, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBKing

It also knocks the project back beyond the next election.

Well, here's a quandary for you. Seeing as the Lib Dems don't stand a cat in hell's chance of winning the next general election, would you tolerate a Tory government given that it's the only chance we have of getting the ID card scheme scrapped?

BBKing · 06-11-2008, 13:01

You've picked the wrong day to ask, considering that Boris Johnson has just ripped up every sensible public transport investment scheme in London*, saving a whole no money in the process. Nicely slipped out the day after the US election result and just when interest rate cuts are announced - bad news cheerfully buried in a press release of staggering spin and pomposity.

Currently, I'd settle for Labour ruling in a hung parliament with the Lib Dems, with Vince Cable as Chancellor in return for scrapping ID cards. I'd also settle for a pleasantly explosive scenario involving me, the Tory front bench in a coracle and a radio controlled nuclear hunter-killer submarine.

* Mainly affecting poorer, Labour voting areas like Peckham, Dagenham, Greenwich, Newham, Tower Hamlets... I know that's hard to believe.

Charlie_Bubble · 06-11-2008, 19:19

Apparently the public is demanding the new cards asap!

r00t · 06-11-2008, 19:28

** sigh **
Just a sad puppet pushing a global agenda.

/me goes back to corner and puts on tinfoil hat

**Maggy J** · 06-11-2008, 19:50

I don't mind provided I don't have to pay for it...

Osem · 06-11-2008, 20:16

I wonder if the Home Office has security checked all those who are working on this scheme...

r00t · 06-11-2008, 20:30

If I have to pay for it or no, I do not want a pastic version of this.

We honour these brave men for fighting for our freedom from the foreign devils. Whilst those closer to home strive to take it away from us.

basa · 06-11-2008, 20:46

I'll damn well give up going airside before they foist one of those useless expensive invasions of privacy on me.

(Yes I know they are free ATM and I don't need to go airside for my job although it is handy)

Osem · 07-11-2008, 18:54

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7714998.stm

**Matt D** · 07-11-2008, 18:57

Yes, so many people "just can't wait" for ID cards, Jacqui

...

danielf · 07-11-2008, 19:10

Ah, good old Jacqui Smith. Can't that woman just keep her mouth shut?

Quote:

The home secretary was repeatedly criticised by peers and MPs on the joint human rights committee earlier.

She had accused critics of plans for 42 day detentions of being prepared to "ignore the terrorist threat".

demented · 07-11-2008, 19:11

I'm not as optimistic as others. If the scheme gets up and running in limited form it will be used as an excuse later on and just rolled out to vurnerable groups at first and then the rest of the population.