I feel the need to re-explain my aversion to the current Identity Card legislation going through the UK parliament at the moment. Central to both my argument and that of the two main opposing political parties (who rightfully stand against Labour in this matter) is the issue of compulsion. While I don’t condone Identity Cards on principal (the government have no right to this information – treating your citizens like criminals a police state creates), I have fewer reservations about a voluntary system that I can opt out of on a personal basis (there would need to be protections in place to prevent compulsion by the back door). When I do strongly object is at the point now reached – one where Identity Cards are to be forced upon us.
And don’t tell me that’s not true. As the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats may well point out to you, around 85% of the British population have passports (and many more have other documents that are apparently also to be linked to the database). Thus, at least 85% of the British population will be forced to have an identity card over the next few years. We don’t have an option about passports either – although many travel on vacation, many also work overseas or need to travel on an occasional basis to visit family, or even for emergencies if a friend, colleague, or family member is taken ill. No, passports are not something we can just do without.
My passport is due to expire early in 2007, just before the mandatory Big Brother system is activated. I called the UK Passport Office[0] the other day to check on how I can expedite the renewal process. I also asked them about Identity Cards. I was told that the only briefing they have right now is to refer us to a government website – they have no other information to offer to callers. It is fortunate, then, that my replacement passport should see me through another 10 years without an enforced Identity Card. I have ten years to upgrade this passport to a better one and/or to rescind my British Citizenship in order to be removed from such a database.
Remember, the issue of compulsion is what bothers me. Iff the ID card was voluntary then my whinging would likely go away (or be substantially along the lines of it just being a waste of money) – I might even consider getting one some day if life became too hard without them. But since the government has decided to throw the right to choice within the UK down the toilet, it’s necessary to resist Identity Cards as much as is possible.
Jon.
[0] Who immediately ask you identity questions before speaking with you, regardless of the topic, just like modern banks (you may recall the situation I had with Barclays after refusing to give them such information in order to find out general information about Barclays that had nothing to do with my account). They seem to default to wanting to know your inside leg measurement before talking to you.