Sunday
There is a certain grim satisfaction in reading this story, on how one UK government minister - seen as a potential future Labour leader - has announced, without telling Gordon Brown, that the case for compulsory ID cards has been scrapped.
Of course, the real issue remains that even without compulsory ID cards, we have a state database on every person in this country; and the aggregation of data about us gets more intensive, and is unlikely to be reversed regardless of the outcome of the next election. Too much money has been spent, too many corporate interests have been bought, for that to stop.
First they tell us there will be a national ID card, then they tell us there won't be.
Either way,
we have no say
we're in the sway
of our lords and masters.
Let us pray...
Posted by Marc Sheffner at July 5, 2009 12:47 PM
Is this the guy who told us we need them and will want them and that he never scrapped them?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/jul/02/identity-cards-fraud-cost
Posted by Simon Gibbs at July 5, 2009 03:07 PM
"grim satisfaction"
Grim? Yes. Satisfaction? No: my personal opinion.
That mere voluntary receipt of an ID card is reported as a significant political development just goes to show the distance between any idea of personal liberty for British subjects and the U-bend down which it has long since been flushed.
Reading the Telegraph every day must be like going on a diet of aftershave.
Posted by mike at July 5, 2009 04:15 PM
I for one welcome our new overlords, and look forward to that golden day when on the steps of No 10, one of NuLab's jolly, affable replacements for Kim Il McBroon will wave his voluntary ID card at us like... like a certain Mr Chamberlain and that famous piece of paper.
Posted by watcher in the dark at July 5, 2009 06:55 PM
Well, i think Britain is leading the way in the open society stakes! You not only know who the head of your 'Secret' Services are, but where to find them on Holidays! It must be true- honest people have nothing to hide!
Posted by Nuke Gray! at July 6, 2009 04:05 AM
As pointed out elsewhere, Labour are clearing the decks of troublesome policy issues in advance of the election.
While the abandonment of compulsory ID cards is to be welcomed, we obviously have to exercise caution in trusting a word these fkers say, especially in proximity to an election.
But just have a look at the comments on the Johnson Guardian article quoted above (and posted about here also) - there is no way ID cards have legs in the current climate - and people (well the internet commentariat at least) seem to be well aware that the real danger is from the database and the general aggregation of personal data on us by the state. These are reasons to be guardedly positive.
Posted by ThousandsOfMilesAway at July 6, 2009 05:29 AM
As pointed out elsewhere, Labour are clearing the decks of troublesome policy issues in advance of the election.
While the abandonment of compulsory ID cards is to be welcomed, we obviously have to exercise caution in trusting a word these fkers say, especially in proximity to an election.
But just have a look at the comments on the Johnson Guardian article quoted above (and posted about here also) - there is no way ID cards have legs in the current climate - and people (well the internet commentariat at least) seem to be well aware that the real danger is from the database and the general aggregation of personal data on us by the state. These are reasons to be guardedly positive.
Posted by ThousandsOfMilesAway at July 6, 2009 05:32 AM
Whether we have ID cards or not big brother is always watching. They are filthy rats and liars
Posted by Tony King at September 29, 2010 10:14 AM
