Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

IDENTITY CARDS

Very soon now the House of Commons will debate the controversial issue of identity cards.

The great ID card debate burns intensely at Westminster and from soundings I have been taking from my local e-focus group recently, passions run strong in these parts too, and, as elsewhere, opinion is deeply divided. It is now time to cast my net more widely: what do you think?

Are they the greatest threat to British liberty since the channel tunnel, or a fabulous idea that will help crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour?

Those against argue: it is an intolerable intrusion into our civil liberties, will usher in a big brother state, and will be susceptible to fraud and forgery so will not help one iota in the war against crime.
Those in favour say: it will help in the war against crime, underage drinking, illegal immigration, benefit fraud and other activities from which we all suffer greatly. Other countries have had ID cards for years and have not become police states and the powers that be already carry a load of e-information about all of us, so what difference will this make?

I can see power and sense in both arguments. However, part of the responsibility of being one of the 657 people in this country empowered to vote in a new law, is I have to decide what to do and then do it. This is a huge issue that crosses party boundaries and the decision will help mould the future shape of this country.
The biggest concerns – by far - for many constituents are crime, unlawful immigration and anti-social behaviour. I can see that the need to show or swipe your card when claiming benefits, entering the country, applying for work, buying alcohol and being stopped by the police would help combat the law-breakers. I see no point whatsoever in a voluntary scheme, it only makes sense if it is compulsory. For this reason I am minded to agree, but open to persuasion.

As ever the devil is in the detail. How ID cards are introduced, what kind of technology is used, what information is stored on them, how safe they are from forgery, and how much they cost is all crucial information I will need to help me make a final decision.

posted by Nigel on Friday, December 17, 2004