ID Cards

[pjm007]

I think that Charles Kennedy's policy of abandoning the introduction of ID cards and using the money to invest in more police/police technology is a good idea, does anyone agree ?

[toby19]

kennedy for PM. he has sensible ideas and IDcards would be totally pointless. Asylum sekers wont have them if they fail application so they slip through the net. any terorist could buy illegally or apply legally and not be stopped.

[stevie21]

Something on telly last night said that the average bobby on the beat would have to wander about for 8 years before encountering a crime. I found this hard to believe but still, it illustrates that the cops need to target their resources rather than just have huge numbers alone.

Unless we're all DNA tested at birth and ID cards are issued on the strength of this biometric info, they'll be easily forged and effectively pointless.

[brachiopod]

SShhh Stevie, don't give Blair and Howard ideas !

(They'll probably tatoo a barcode on our ar5es while they're about it.)

[jake-the-peg]

Personally I think we should all change our names by deed poll to Winston Smith ( in homage to George Orwell's 1984) just before they bring in ID cards :c)

[FP]

Yes

[MargeB]

god, how cool would kennedy be as pm? if it were based on the boss, not just party, I think he would win. Head firmly screwed on. Even if it's ginger.

[MsBehave]

Yes i agree but thinking about it, does 'police technology' just mean more cameras?!! lol

[FP]

Kennedy seems to be totally honest and straightforward with good ideas.  Would he change though, if he got into power (which sadly is unlikely)?

[Addison]

ID cards are an infringement on everyone's civil liberties.  It is not our duty to inform the government of our whereabouts and what we are up to. 

Their introduction will not reduce crime, halt illegal immigration or prevent terrorism. However it will provide a massive database for the government/police to monitor our private lives.  And we have to pay for the privilege! 

When the likes of George W Bush rejects ID cards as unconstitutional then you can only begin to wander how right wing and reactioanry Mr Blair et al have become.

[Didwot]

Forget ID cards. Implant a chip in everyone at birth. Fit it with a microphone to listen in, track them by satellilte and let the authorities keep tabs on us all. If the home secretary does not like what we are doing he will have a little button to press that detonates a charge in the device, and blows our head off. Sorry I cribbed that one from David Blunkett.

[gavinbecky]

ID cards are great for controlling those that already are registered with council's, the tax office, DSS etc. It does not solve the problem. Unless the Police stop everyone in the street they would not be able to weed out those that did not have ID cards. Or would those that did not have an IDE card after being arrested be immediately thrown out of the country? I think not.

Thinking ahead - ID cards would form part of future budgets...along with 'cigararettes are up by 10 a packet' would be 'and identity cards are to be increased by �5' .