Another nail in the ID card coffin

**Chris** · 30-06-2009, 17:39

Airside workers at Manchester and London City will no longer be compelled to carry one of Labour's discredited ID cards, Alan Johnson has announced.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8127081.stm

Why don't they just give it up right now? There's nothing of it left worth the name and we could all do with the money.

Osem · 30-06-2009, 17:44

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...n-Johnson.html

Quote:

...... THe Home Office is now concentrating on the cards being useful for youngsters to prove their age when going in to pubs.

What a shambles this pathetic 'government' is!

**Chris** · 30-06-2009, 17:47

Sorry ... am I understanding this right ... we've basically been spending multi-billions on a project that amounts to reinventing this:

[img]Download Failed (1)[/img]

???

Derek · 30-06-2009, 17:53

Thats the way it looks.

I'm in favour of ID cards but the ways its been handled just shows the reverse midas touch that seems to infect this government.

nomadking · 30-06-2009, 18:16

I think you'll find it is the totally inept Labour government that badly infects their projects not the other way around.

ID cards are only of any use if, when being asked for it you have to provide a fingerprint check which has to be done against a central database and not info on the card itself. To do otherwise, would mean that the ID card becomes just another easily forged piece of plastic. Imagine the queues of people waiting to get on a bus who have to provide a valid fingerprint scan.

If Non-EU citizens can get away with not having to provide valid documentation at the moment, they can easily get away with not having to provide an ID card of any sort.

Gary L · 30-06-2009, 18:27

A voluntary ID card is a waste of the volunteers money. this government wants a kick up the bum. they really are a bunch of idiots.

v0id · 30-06-2009, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomadking

ID cards are only of any use if, when being asked for it you have to provide a fingerprint check which has to be done against a central database and not info on the card itself. To do otherwise, would mean that the ID card becomes just another easily forged piece of plastic. Imagine the queues of people waiting to get on a bus who have to provide a valid fingerprint scan.

Yeah, and while everyones giving their fingerprints for this database, why not just provide some DNA too. It's what they want, and afterall it's for the good of the country

rogerdraig · 30-06-2009, 19:09

good riddance to a very bad idea with any luck

BBKing · 30-06-2009, 19:42

While we're on holes being poked in the Big Database State...

Quote:

Cross-Channel train operator Eurostar says it will be unable to co-operate with plans to check everyone entering the UK against crime, terror and immigration watchlists, dealing a major blow to the government's Â£750m e-Borders programme.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06...ders_eurostar/

Their main point is a) it's illegal on the continent and b) it mucks up everyone's journey time.

Stuart · 30-06-2009, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBKing

While we're on holes being poked in the Big Database State...

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06...ders_eurostar/

Their main point is a) it's illegal on the continent and b) it mucks up everyone's journey time.

not to mention that c) any halfway competant terrorist will have fake ID aranged. The IRA were apparently particularly adept at this.

Osem · 30-06-2009, 21:31

Just a few weeks ago the then most recent in New Labour's list of utterly inept Home Secretaries, Jacqui Smith, was still saying this sort of thing:

Quote:

ID cards will deliver real benefits to everyone, including increased protection against criminals, illegal immigrants and terrorists.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8035002.stm

The current incumbent doesn't seem to agree..... What a surprise.

zaax · 01-07-2009, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Sorry ... am I understanding this right ... we've basically been spending multi-billions on a project that amounts to reinventing this:

???

and what go me is they already have a good id card in the driving license.They could have done what California has done and issue 'no driving' driving license for the non-drivers, if anyone needed to prove who they are

Dai · 01-07-2009, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaax

and what go me is they already have a good id card in the driving license.They could have done what California has done and issue 'no driving' driving license for the non-drivers, if anyone needed to prove who they are

That would be too cheap and sensible. The great advantage in the new ID card system was the millions of pounds they could siphon off to their mates and party contributors in the Consultancy and IT businesses.

Tezcatlipoca · 01-07-2009, 21:41

Don't celebrate yet people...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2...-card-database

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guardian

British citizens who apply for or renew their passport will be automatically registered on the national identity card database under regulations to be approved by MPs in the next few weeks.

The decision to press ahead with the main elements of the national identity card scheme follows a review by the home secretary, Alan Johnson, of the Â£4.9bn project. Although Johnson said the cards would not be compulsory, critics say the passport measures amount to an attempt to introduce the system by the backdoor.

(snip)

Osem · 05-07-2009, 22:06

Heard David Milliband on the Andrew Marr show this morning claiming that there'd been no u-turn as current law only allowed ID cards to be voluntary....