The Government’s arguments were wrong in 2004 and they lost in 2010. A decade or two later bad ideas return, as Tony Blair has forgotten he’s no longer PM.
All of those old arguments are still wrong, and we’ll cover them in due course – just remember that some of the terms have been updated; “Universal Credit”, for example, wasn’t even a thing in 2004…
Meanwhile, some people have been spreading misinformation about the government’s proposed digital identity scheme. To put matters straight, we are assembling a list of frequently asked questions, with answers.
To be clear:
- A digital ID scheme will not stop illegal migration*
- A digital ID scheme will not eliminate bureaucracy or abuse by officials
- A digital ID scheme will enable the State to make decisions hostile to citizens
- Digital ID will be mandatory, if you want a job or a home
- Handing over your unlocked phone won’t make you more secure
We’ll start with what the Government told the 3 million people who petitioned to stop digital ID cards, and why it’s so wrong…
Opposition to ID Cards
When NO2ID opposed the last ID cards scheme – leading to the repeal of the Identity Cards Act in 2010, and the physical destruction of the National Identity Register – the campaign was supported by a broad range of organisations, all of whom were concerned about the proposed imposition of State identity control on the UK population.
Public opposition to the Government’s plan has already grown rapidly:
- Labour MPs and party members
- Conservative MPs and party members
- Lib Dem MPs and party members
- Reform MPs and party members
- Independent MPs and members of no party
Here is a snapshot of what NO2ID’s Supporters page looked like in 2005:
Should your organisation be on the 2025 list of Supporters? If so please get in touch with supporters@NO2ID.uk