THE Prime Minister has thrown his full weight behind national identity cards, making it the first test of his pledge to confront the “tough choices” facing the country.

He has told David Blunkett that ID cards “will happen” and promised to do his best to introduce a Bill into this year’s Queen’s Speech, despite considerable Cabinet opposition.

Tony Blair’s personal backing for the £40 cards represents something of a conversion. He has been open-minded about Mr Blunkett’s proposals, but has also told aides that they were no panacea for the increased security threat to Britain.

The Home Secretary has argued that ID cards would not only be helpful in tightening security, but also offer a genuine solution to other political difficulties, such as illegal immigration and so-called health tourism, where people come to Britain specifically to use the NHS.

Recent polling evidence for Downing Street indicated that voters do not believe the Government is getting to grips with asylum-seekers and illegal immigration despite figures showing the number of applications is falling sharply.

Under Mr Blunkett’s proposals, British residents would not be compelled to carry an ID card at all times but would have to present it within a few days if requested.

Cabinet opposition to the scheme has been led by Gordon Brown and Jack Straw.

Although the Chancellor is not opposed in principle, he is unconvinced that the plans have been thought out clearly. He also fears that if legislation goes ahead before more details have been worked out, ID cards could cost much more than orginally projected, with taxpayers picking up the bill.

Big information technology projects commissioned by the Government have proved disastrous in the past, with huge cost overruns and delays.

Mr Straw, the Foreign Secretary and a former barrister, is opposed on grounds of civil liberty. Although not an instinctive liberal, his legal background has made him wary of the compulsion and enforcement of the scheme.

Alistair Darling, the Tranport Secretary and another former advocate, is also opposed for the same reasons. His time as Work and Pensions Secretary convinced him that ID cards would do little to tackle social security fraud.

On Mr Blunkett’s side is John Reid, the Health Secretary, who has said that identity cards would help him make sure that the NHS was used only by those entitled to its services. Charles Clarke, the Education Secretary, is also a backer. His time in the Home Office convinced him that the police needed extra help in being able to identify suspects quickly.

Most other Cabinet members are somewhere in between, not opposing the idea in principle but still unconvinced that issues such as enforcement and cost have been properly thrashed out.

Proposals for an identity card scheme are being examined by the Cabinet’s Domestic Affairs Committee and will return to Cabinet for a full discussion in the next few weeks.

Mr Blair mentioned ID cards in his conference speech this week, saying that, far from impinging on civil liberties, they could help protect them.

However, civil liberties groups have opposed the move saying that being forced to have a card is an encroachment on basic freedom.

Under Mr Blunkett’s plan, holders of a passport or driving licence, which will in the future carry biometric data, will not be obliged to have a separate identity card.

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