Blair leads with security in ID debate
Tony Blair has written to thousands of identity card critics in an attempt to gain support for the scheme, although he concedes that his arguments will do little to convince those who oppose ID cards on the grounds of civil liberties.
The prime minister has told nearly 28,000 critics that ID cards will make Britain a “safer place”. While he accepts that ID cards will not prevent all terrorism or crime, he argues that they would make an “important contribution” to securing borders, countering fraud and tackling international crime and terrorism.
More than 27,000 people signed an e-petition opposing the introduction of ID cards, making it one of the most popular e-petitions on the Downing Street website.
It stated: “We the undersigned petition the prime minister to scrap the proposed introduction of ID cards. The introduction of ID cards will not prevent terrorism or crime, as is claimed. It will be yet another indirect tax on all law-abiding citizens of the UK.”
Writing to each of the signatories, Mr Blair claimed that his views are shared by the security forces. He explained that ID cards would prevent people being able to move undetected across borders or use multiple identities.
Responding to concerns, he said that the National Identity Register would contain less personal information than the average store cards.
“If national ID cards do help us counter crime and terrorism, it is, of course, the law-abiding majority who will benefit and whose own liberties will be protected,” Mr Blair wrote.
“This helps explain why, according to the recent authoritative Social Attitudes survey, the majority of people favour compulsory ID cards,” he added.
However, his letter was rejected by campaign group NO2ID, who also questioned Mr Blair’s claims that ID cards would not be hugely expensive.
Phil Booth, national coordinator with NO2ID, said:”The prime minister’s claims on this subject are not exactly lies, so much as fact-free. Endlessly repeating a fabrication doesn’t make it real, Mr Blair.”
Addressing the Commons yesterday, Liam Byrne, minister for immigration, citizenship and nationality, also defended ID cards against critical questions from both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
He insisted that the government remains committed to the introduction of ID cards, which are “essential” in combating ID fraud, illegal immigration and disrupting organised crime and threat of terrorism, he claimed.
Mr Byrne also denied that ID cards would be costly, stating that 70 per cent of their cost will be spent anyway introducing biometric passports. However, NO2ID rejects this claim as “creative accounting”.
The Conservatives last month joined the Liberal Democrats in opposing ID cards, pledging formally that they would cancel the scheme if in government.
