The case against ID cards

It would be really nice if some people really gave some up to date thinking about ID. Biometric data is sure to come in sooner or later. Knee jerk anti everything reactions would be outdated soon enough.

I don’t know why any law abiding citizen should object to carrying one.

Because of comments like that Bellasnana. Because of comments like that 😟

VioletSky

Definitely don't like the idea that it could stop peaceful demonstration.

Especially if people's movements could be a matter of public record and that affected things like employment

People could be discriminated against

But people are already being stopped from demonstrating peacefully. Having an ID card doesn't make any difference to that.

Interesting to read other people’s views on the subject although I can’t really understand why so many are against ID cards.

I’ve had one for over forty years as I live in Malta, and have never been randomly asked for it. It is convenient, free and can be used instead of a passport for travel within the EU.

I don’t know why any law abiding citizen should object to carrying one.

Blossoming

Are there any countries that do have this sort of identity card?

Yes, most do have.

vegansrock

I can’t see why anyone would object to voter ID- they ask your name and address and tick you off- this could all be done more efficiently and stop people nipping over to another polling station and give someone else’s name and address( it has been known) .
I think the experiences of those who’ve lived in countries with ID currently haven’t had bad experiences.

people nipping over to another polling station and give someone else’s name and address( it has been known)

Has it vegansrock? Has it? Got any examples of that happening?

Your sister's hairdresser's cousin telling you about how it happened to their daughter isn't proof.

You can't even join a library if you don't have ID.

"You will need to bring some identification with your name and address on it, such as a driving licence, bank statement or recent utility bill."

Some people don't have any of those. What would be wrong with an ID card like the current citizen cards, which young people can get?

It would be really nice if people stopped trying to say that worrying about ID cards is some kind of paranoia, based on wartime norms and watching dystopian films.

Some hope.

People are already discriminated against!

Definitely don't like the idea that it could stop peaceful demonstration.

Especially if people's movements could be a matter of public record and that affected things like employment

People could be discriminated against

All our benefits are already linked to our National Insurance number. This worrying about ID cards seems like a hangover from old wartime propaganda.

growstuff

volver You could also throw away your birth certificate and utility bills along with your driving licence, but you'd find it quite difficult to prove your ID, if you applied for a job, wanted to open a bank account or apply for benefits or wanted to rent a property. A single ID card could make it easier to do those things without having to send off a pack of ID documents.

I agree that I'd want to know what its purpose would be and I'd want the government to be accountable for future uses, but not having an ID card doesn't deter the government from introducing draconian laws anyway.

But having an ID card would make it easier for them.

I don't agree with handing over my ability to have the kind of identity document I feel happy with just to make my life a bit easier when I have to open a bank account.

It seems to me we have lost all sense of proportion here.

Oldwoman70

I think almost half of the member states of the EU have compulsory ID cards - I haven't read of people being regularly stopped and asked for ID in those countries or of demonstrations against them - seems those who have experience of having to carry them do not object.

Having inadvertently strayed too near a demonstration, I’ve been asked for identification whilst in Germany, but my passport was sufficient and I carry it with me when abroad. Might have been difficult otherwise because my bank cards don’t have a picture.

volver You could also throw away your birth certificate and utility bills along with your driving licence, but you'd find it quite difficult to prove your ID, if you applied for a job, wanted to open a bank account or apply for benefits or wanted to rent a property. A single ID card could make it easier to do those things without having to send off a pack of ID documents.

I agree that I'd want to know what its purpose would be and I'd want the government to be accountable for future uses, but not having an ID card doesn't deter the government from introducing draconian laws anyway.

Greyduster

And we’ve learned absolutely nothing since then, Maisie? I don’t think so! How do those of you who are railing against this, and so much other stuff, manage to live your life from day to day with all these conspiracy theories taking up spaces in your heads?

Well some of us have to worry about the rest of you who don't seem to mind having your rights taken away.

It's a tough job but somebody has to do it.

As for learning about things over the past few years, I suppose it's completely unlikely that we would ever have a government who thinks it's a good thing to limit the movements of people who attended demos they didn't like? That would only happen in the films, wouldn't it?

(Sarcasm alert)

What if one card could be all those things Volver

I'd definitely lose it though

Baggs

I suspect one'd still have to be on the electoral register, VSky.

I would certainly hope so. I guess it depends what ID is going to be required to allow people to vote. There are people who don't have a passport or driving licence. Some (eg students or people in hostels and HMOs) are on the electoral register, but don't receive individual utility or CT bills, so proving ID can be a problem.

Looking in my purse, I have several bank cards, a driving licence, a bus pass, a train pass and an AA card. And a membership card for the NTS.

None of those are compulsory. I could throw them all out tomorrow and that is perfectly legal. I'd have to give up driving and put my vast fortune in biscuit tins under the bed, but that would be my choice, it wouldn't be enforced on me.

If I have no choice about carrying a card that the government tells me is compulsory, that is not acceptable to me. I'm not suggesting that they will do that tomorrow. But if and when any government of any colour decides it a good thing and starts putting things in place to make that a law, we need to know in advance what the implications are. Which means discussing it now.

I think almost half of the member states of the EU have compulsory ID cards - I haven't read of people being regularly stopped and asked for ID in those countries or of demonstrations against them - seems those who have experience of having to carry them do not object.

I'm always disappointed in how many young people don't vote

Grantanow

There is very little evidence of voter fraud in the UK and the Tory scheme to require voter ID is to reduce voting by disadvantaged groups more likely to vote Labour. I don't see any advantage to the individual from ID cards.

There might be one, if people, including the disadvantaged, had an ID card and found it easier to vote.

I suspect one'd still have to be on the electoral register, VSky.

I suppose if having an ID card automatically registered you to vote that might help get more people doing it

I think it was Tony Blair who first mooted (pushed even, as I believe he is still doing) the idea of ID cards. It may not have been in connection with voting rights. I can't remember.

There is very little evidence of voter fraud in the UK and the Tory scheme to require voter ID is to reduce voting by disadvantaged groups more likely to vote Labour. I don't see any advantage to the individual from ID cards.