UK Government re-introduces ID cards bill

Trev · 05-25-2005

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticl...LEGISLATION.xml

LONDON (Reuters) - The government re-introduced a controversial bill to bring in identity cards on Wednesday, legislation that had to be put aside earlier this year when Prime Minister Tony Blair called the May 5 election.

The government says the cards, which would contain biometric data, would help stop identity theft, which costs about 1.3 billion pounds a year.

"The abuse of identity actually costs this country billions of pounds a year," Blair told parliament.

The government also argues ID cards would help track terrorism, illegal immigration and organised crime.

"Across the world there is a drive to increase the security of identity documents, to safeguard borders and reduce threats from overseas," said junior Home Office minister Tony McNulty.

"The plans set out today will ensure the UK is at the forefront of that drive," he added.

But critics, including some Labour members of parliament, say cards pose a dangerous threat to civil liberties.

They argue the scheme is too costly, especially as it is still unclear how effective ID cards will be in tackling crime and terrorism.

"The horrendous economic costs of the ID card scheme are clear; the social costs will be with us for decades," said Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights group Liberty.

With Blair returned to power with a sharply reduced majority, some political analysts believe the government faces a battle to get the bill through parliament.

Labour left-wingers could block the plans if enough of them join forces with the opposition parties.

When former Home Secretary David Blunkett introduced the original bill in the last parliament it sparked a Labour revolt.

The Home Office has made only minor changes to the bill, including giving more powers to the watchdog and limiting access to the national identity register.

The Liberal Democrats oppose ID cards and although Conservative leader Michael Howard has backed the idea, he is stepping down.

David Davis, the shadow Home Secretary and a favourite to replace Howard, has said he would not recommend the legislation in its current form to Conservative MPs.

The Tories initially voted for ID card legislation, but later abstained in a key Commons vote.

The cards will not be compulsory and police will not have the power to demand to see a card.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I've put in bold the part that I think just makes this a farce... whats the point in it then

Jeremy · 05-25-2005

The Right Honourable members of the governemt can fuck right off on this one.

I love the fact that originally they were going to make the cards compulsory and make you pay for them.

Trev · 05-25-2005

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeremy@May 25 2005, 11:50 PM
The Right Honourable members of the governemt can fuck right off on this one.

I love the fact that originally they were going to make the cards compulsory and make you pay for them.

I've read other stories that indicate the next time you renew your passport it'll be £93 quid and you'll have to get the card as well (hence the hike in price)...

I didn't post links to those because they are from the more tits-n-ass papers like the sun

Newton · 05-25-2005

So if you get a passport before they implement these cards, they can go fuck themselves

Trev · 05-25-2005

Quote:

Originally posted by Newton@May 26 2005, 12:20 AM
So if you get a passport before they implement these cards, they can go fuck themselves

Excellent Idea

JR · 05-25-2005

sarah_webinc · 05-25-2005

to be honest, it has amazed me for ages that the driver's licenses over here don't even have pics on them. However, I am pissed off we are going to have to pay for them when they aren't optional.

Newton · 05-25-2005

Well they are losing money hand over fist, guess who has to find the money they want

Newton · 05-25-2005

Quote:

Originally posted by JR@May 25 2005, 03:43 PM

Good film and spot on

Trev · 05-25-2005

Quote:

Originally posted by sarah_webinc@May 26 2005, 12:46 AM
to be honest, it has amazed me for ages that the driver's licenses over here don't even have pics on them. However, I am pissed off we are going to have to pay for them when they aren't optional.

They don't come in paper anymore.. send an old drivers licence off and you'll get a plastic photo card* back...

*with a huge piece of paper to go with it

Nickatilynx · 05-25-2005

My Guernsey liscence was handwritten lol

Newton · 05-25-2005

Quote:

Originally posted by Nickatilynx@May 25 2005, 05:13 PM
My Guernsey liscence was handwritten lol

Is it Guernsey or Sark that doesnt have cars?

Nickatilynx · 05-25-2005

Sark

JR · 05-25-2005

what is the reason for a drivers license to not have a pic on it? that seems strange. it can't be in line with international agreements.

Newton · 05-25-2005

Quote:

Originally posted by JR@May 25 2005, 06:01 PM
what is the reason for a drivers license to not have a pic on it? that seems strange. it can't be in line with international agreements.

It isn't and incredibly frustrating for Europeans and Americans, The older UK license was just paper based with just a signature and therefore easily forged allegedly. The newer one is picture based and conforms more to what is deemed as usable identification.

A lot of people still hold their old driving licenses, myself amongst them.

The UK seems to want to position it as a law unto itself, and exempt for the most part, when it suits.

JR · 05-25-2005

Quote:

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Originally posted by Newton+May 25 2005, 06:21 PM-->
QUOTE (Newton @ May 25 2005, 06:21 PM)

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05-26-2005 #17

Jeremy

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Quote:

Originally posted by Newton@May 25 2005, 03:20 PM
So if you get a passport before they implement these cards, they can go fuck themselves

But, will that then be one of the new biometric ones that mean you don't have to queue for months at US airports? (Or at least cuts the queue down to a number of days).

I think they're changing something about the passports, can't remember if they;ve done it or are doing it "soon".

Jeremy

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05-25-2005	#4
Newton It's always business, never personal! The POWER of radio Oprano Radio Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: On a golf course Posts: 4,916	So if you get a passport before they implement these cards, they can go fuck themselves __________________ Poser Bush in a mix-up over his hi-tech gizmo - ICLOD

05-25-2005	#7
sarah_webinc Members Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: American In London Posts: 966	to be honest, it has amazed me for ages that the driver's licenses over here don't even have pics on them. However, I am pissed off we are going to have to pay for them when they aren't optional. __________________ Special Boards Design Deal: 100 Banners = $799 ! Make 50% commissions promoting our pills! - sarah@webinc.com for details.

05-25-2005	#8
Newton It's always business, never personal! The POWER of radio Oprano Radio Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: On a golf course Posts: 4,916	Well they are losing money hand over fist, guess who has to find the money they want __________________ Poser Bush in a mix-up over his hi-tech gizmo - ICLOD

05-25-2005	#14
JR Members The global leader in pay-per-view AEBN Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: in my chair Posts: 3,320	what is the reason for a drivers license to not have a pic on it? that seems strange. it can't be in line with international agreements. __________________

05-25-2005	#1
Trev Cunty Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,150	http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticl...LEGISLATION.xml LONDON (Reuters) - The government re-introduced a controversial bill to bring in identity cards on Wednesday, legislation that had to be put aside earlier this year when Prime Minister Tony Blair called the May 5 election. The government says the cards, which would contain biometric data, would help stop identity theft, which costs about 1.3 billion pounds a year. "The abuse of identity actually costs this country billions of pounds a year," Blair told parliament. The government also argues ID cards would help track terrorism, illegal immigration and organised crime. "Across the world there is a drive to increase the security of identity documents, to safeguard borders and reduce threats from overseas," said junior Home Office minister Tony McNulty. "The plans set out today will ensure the UK is at the forefront of that drive," he added. But critics, including some Labour members of parliament, say cards pose a dangerous threat to civil liberties. They argue the scheme is too costly, especially as it is still unclear how effective ID cards will be in tackling crime and terrorism. "The horrendous economic costs of the ID card scheme are clear; the social costs will be with us for decades," said Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights group Liberty. With Blair returned to power with a sharply reduced majority, some political analysts believe the government faces a battle to get the bill through parliament. Labour left-wingers could block the plans if enough of them join forces with the opposition parties. When former Home Secretary David Blunkett introduced the original bill in the last parliament it sparked a Labour revolt. The Home Office has made only minor changes to the bill, including giving more powers to the watchdog and limiting access to the national identity register. The Liberal Democrats oppose ID cards and although Conservative leader Michael Howard has backed the idea, he is stepping down. David Davis, the shadow Home Secretary and a favourite to replace Howard, has said he would not recommend the legislation in its current form to Conservative MPs. The Tories initially voted for ID card legislation, but later abstained in a key Commons vote. The cards will not be compulsory and police will not have the power to demand to see a card. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I've put in bold the part that I think just makes this a farce... whats the point in it then __________________ Sucks to be you.

05-25-2005	#2
Jeremy Members Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 157	The Right Honourable members of the governemt can fuck right off on this one. I love the fact that originally they were going to make the cards compulsory and make you pay for them.

05-25-2005	#6
JR Members The global leader in pay-per-view AEBN Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: in my chair Posts: 3,320	__________________

05-25-2005	#11
Nickatilynx Banned Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 15,115	My Guernsey liscence was handwritten lol