Oh no, not *again*!

[akicif]

Remember back in January when there was a flurry of people writing to their MPs about the National Identity Card? Well, obviously enough has happened that we're all meant to have forgotten about it, 'cos Blunkett's dragged the idea out again. And of course, it's still being spun as a way of saving us all from drowning in the floods of asylum seekers - that'd be the ones who are significantly less keen on coming to the UK than they were last year, no doubt?

The only good thing in the whole mess is that the plan is to introduce the card "soon after the next election". But does anyone realistically see anyone else getting in?

In all seriousness, I'm beginning to think it may be time to get the hell out of Britain.

Comments

Fight the fight for real?

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

I just heard this again, too.

It's time for everyone who is against this idea to make another, very public stand against it ... which might lead to mass civil disobedience (destroying cards), and imprisonment (if only for non-payment of fines). This could get nasty...

[akicif.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Here's what I said in my letter to my MP:

In conclusion, I believe that this whole scheme is fundamentally flawed, and that no Government with any pretence at all to be interested in supporting the concept of civil liberties would be introducing such a scheme, and is no longer worthy of receiving my vote. If this scheme is introduced, I will not register, and if I am compelled to register, I will not carry the card on a daily basis, will refuse to show it on demand, and will, in short, do everything within my power as a citizen of the United Kingdom to make the operation of the scheme as difficult as possible

And of course, since the big anti-war marches earlier in the year, a lot more people are prepared to get out there and demonstrate.

The other thing, though, is that they've also seen the Government ignore them....

[muninnhuginn]

Again? It did look like they were giving up on this but they're persistent fascists aren't they?

It's rather adding insult to injury that we'd have to pay for the things too.

[tanais.livejournal.com]

To be honest everyone expected Blunkett to push it through again. I was expecting something during the glorious and painless liberation of iraq. I've been thinking of getting out of Britain for quite a while.

Some thoughts

[ang-grrr.livejournal.com]

About 2 1/2 years ago I became the signatory on a charity account. I'd taken my driving license with me but it wasn't good enough and neither was my works ID card. Eventually I went home and got my passport and they believed that it was me. I've heard lots of tales from other people (mostly European nationals) about difficulties in opening bank accounts and the like. One person I know had to send originals of her passport, driving license and birth certificate by post - leaving her with no identification at all for a month.

Recent changes in the Guide Association have meant that I'm now in charge of checking ID for leader applicants prior to criminal records checks. This has quite complex requirements which I shan't bore you with. One of the type 1 documents, however, is a national identity card.

The national ID card is going to happen. In fact, I think we already have a national identity card by another name given the amount of times I've had to drag my passport around with me. I don't think an ID card is going to help people prove who they are and I think we may well reach a similar situation to Holland (IIRC) where the card is seen as the LEAST reliable form of ID. H

Re: Some thoughts

[carandol.livejournal.com]

I had a similar experience a few years ago. I couldn't get a bank account without a passport. I couldn't get a passport without a birth certificate. And to get a birth certificate I just had to go into the Registry Office of my home town, tell them my name and date of birth and the names of my parents. No signiture, no other form of ID to prove I was me. I wonder on what basis they'll decide you're you when issuing ID cards.

As for me, I *am* leaving the country. This time next week, I should be in the channel tunnel...

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

Just a thought (for those of us living north of the border): is it possible that issuing ID cards is devolved?

I suppose it depends how they do it - passports are still issued by the UK government, not the Scottish parliament - but if it's a policing issue, I think it might be devolved. And if it was, can you seriously imagine it getting through the Scottish Parliament?

But in any case, I think purpletigron's right: the best way to fight this is for enough of us to make clear that we will not cooperate - we will not get an ID card even if legal penalties are served on those who refuse.

Orwell was only 19 years out

[(Anonymous)]

Leave Britain to go where??? Most 'civilised' countries are adopting the Blair / Bush stance on privacy etc.

The ID cards are about 1 year off - but the government are coming on Tuesday to install the telescreen...and to copy my private key...

(READ Orwell: Nineteen Eighty-Four)

Re: Orwell was only 19 years out

[tanais.livejournal.com]

I was thinking Portugal, mountaisnd. At least I can have a life with horses unimpeded by cunts from the government. Got any problems with that Mr Anonymous?

>(READ Orwell: Nineteen Eighty-Four)

I did. Overrated. Next.