Words by c.z.robertson: Take a Stand against ID cards

I'm feeling virtuous because I've just made a response to the consultation on ID cards. Given that I do so little political work, that feeling is probably not one I am entitled to. I did it via the wonderful Stand website. Here's what I wrote:

I oppose the introduction of an ID or entitlement card as described in the consultation paper. While I can see that there are some advantages to the use of such a card, I do not believe that they come close to outweighing the disadvantages.

In addition to the disadvantages described in the paper I would like to add the following:

Page 7: "By giving a clear indication that the holder of an entitlement card is lawfully resident in the UK, a card scheme could be a powerful weapon in combating illegal immigration."

Regarding the subject of illegal immigration in general, I believe that in most cases it should be legal. We already go to ridiculous lengths to prevent immigration and we cause more harm than good by doing so. The last thing we need is a new and expensive way to prevent immigration.

Page 7: "It would also help to prosecute unscrupulous employers who employ illegal workers for less than the minimum wage and undercut legitimate companies."

This seems highly unlikely and you have done nothing to argue for it. An unscrupulous employer is, by definition, unscrupulous. If they are violating the law regarding minimum wages, why would they not also violate the law regarding checking ID cards?

Page 8: Identity fraud costs £1.3 billion.
Page 10: ID cards cost £1.5 billion.

This does not look like a bargain.

Furthermore, ID cards would not stop 100% of identity fraud. The idea that ID cards will work perfectly while all previous ID systems have been fallible is laughable.

Also, on the subject of criminalising all uses of a false identity:

Page 44: "Defendants would need access to a reasonable defence to cover the more innocent uses of a false identity such as adopting another identity when fleeing an abusive partner."

The last thing I want to do is to haul the poor souls fleeing abusive partners into court and to put them to trouble of proving that they have a legitimate reason to use a false identity.

Besides, I frequently give false information to companies who want it for marketing purposes. I'd prefer it if that didn't make me a criminal.

"This seems highly unlikely and you have done nothing to argue for it. An unscrupulous employer is, by definition, unscrupulous. If they are violating the law regarding minimum wages, why would they not also violate the law regarding checking ID cards?"

I'm presuming that one would not be able to get paid without a card (like with NI numbers). However, this obviously doesn't stop the old "cash in hand" method which is used.

At the end of the day it seems that ID cards will at the very best be another inconveniance for law abiding citizens and ignored by worked around by non-law abiding citizens, the way it's always been. At the very worst ... well, bad crazyness will follow and I won't speculate further than that.

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Hi Read your comments with interest my recent experience with my bank has given me a taste of what it might be like if you can't produce photo ID. The Abbey National using Government ruling to restrict access to customers savings.

If you haven’t got your passport or Photo driving licence your only access to withdrawing your savings from the Abbey is to stand in line and draw it out at £500 a day until you get it all back.

Doesn’t matter how long you have banked there of if your face is known at the bank if you do not have this form of photo ID you will be your access to your own savings will be strictly limited to what they say you can have.

Anything to do with the fact we are all being pushed to accept the governments ID cards?

With the help of banks like the Abbey it would seem we are being “encouraged” to accept life would be easier on us if we just rolled over and accepted this.

I have spend 3 days onto different representatives of the Abbey National and today been informed that I am not allowed to draw from my own savings except the amounts they decide I can withdraw by gong personally to my bank and standing in line.

In one conversation with a representative from the Abbey’s head office,. I was actually asked what I wanted the money for. This amazed me, why on earth is it any of their business?

I’m told it’s all being done for my own good, to prevent fraud, yeah right!

My advice be careful putting money in to this bank, you might find it a lot more difficult to get them to give you it back. I was told today the Abbey Nationals decision is final, my request denied. My only course of redress or review, phone telephone complaints and get in line.

A sign of things to come for us all. Regards R Steele

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Words by c.z.robertson

Take a Stand against ID cards

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