I will refuse to have an ID card even if it means a criminal prosecution. I suggest that all those who do not want an id card even if the government is to make it compulsory (about 15 million or so) don't work at all for a week and seriously cripple the economy, which would make the government much weaker and they won't have the money to pay for this scheme. If we were to protest, we would need everyone person who is against the sheme in the country to march up to parliament. Remember, with the prison crisis they can't put us all in prison and we can refuse to pay all fines. Governmetns should fear their citizens not the other way around and they need to know that we can kick them out anytime we want.

James, London, England

There are many aspects to the scheme and valid arguments to opposing the system. From a person who reads his Bible, it is clear that a world government will rule the earth in the future (Daniel 7, Revelation 13, 17,18). This means the ID card is coming in to fulfil bible prophecy, to enable a future world government to control the population. All christians should reject ID cards.

Robert, London, UK

ID cards will not stop terrorism, benefit fraud or ilegal immigration. Terrorists will move about with ID cards, benefit fraud is mostly due to false information not false identity, and illegal immigrants dont work in the mainstream workplace.

WAKE UP BRITAIN, we are sleepwalking into a de facto surveillence state. If you are not frightened of the prospect of this government having this level of control over you, despite the abuse of the anti-terrorist laws, the DNA databse, cameras proliferating, lies about WMD, and finger-printing of your children, then imagine what another government might do with this power, how easy it would be to control all protests. And learn form history. It is absolutely certain that the 50 pieces of information you will have to give and keep updated or face a fine, will increase. There is always mission creep on these things. The time to stop a police state is before it happens not after. If you've nothing to hide...what about human decency of privacy?

Howard, Exeter, England

I have carried an ID card for 36 of my 47 years; first as the child in Germany and then for 20 years as a soldier. As such, I do not object to ID cards in principle. ID cards, however, will not prevent terrorism. History has shown this time and time again. Terrorists such as Irgun, Baader-Meinhof, the red Brigade, and ETA have operated in countries with ID cards.
I believe that the real reason that politicians wish to introduce the ID card is too simply to gain control over the populace. I believe that if individuals do not fight today, through the political process, then we will have to choose to raise arms against the state if we are to regain our liberties as politicians will not freely return our liberties to us once they have been taken.
If you believe this to be paranoia, you should consider the simple fact that most dictatorships have started to the ballot box and continued through the gun!
I for one will not have an ID card, and I strongly suggest that anybody who wishes to do so, consider the pros and cons whilst they have the freedom to do so.

Adrian Watson, Southampton, Hants, UK

ID Cards should be made compulsory sooner than later as people
of other countries are abusing our national health and other departments funding and there is more to these

Rashmi, Wembley, middlesex

Iam strongly in favour. As a parent with children it is slowly dawning on me that the chances of my children having a home to live in and be safe and own , having a state pension when they retire, being safe to walk the streets free of fear and intimidation and finally the chances of care in a NHS Hospital are none so what chance do the children have, theses are just a few points that will occur if things do not change. Immagration is so high as is benifit fraud and violent crime so why should we not track these people down and deal with them these are our taxes and our children that are being bled dry. The countries wealth and resources are all but gone, if the ID Card stops people entering certain areas/ countries or stops all our childrens prosperity from being robbed or given away then I am all for it.Same to if a card stops a peodofile entering a play area by not opening the gates and alerting the police or a violent thief or an important illness such as diabeties known quickly.

john Mathers, Glasgow, Scotland

I refuse to have an identity card, which in previous years was a war-time measure. I lost several fine men serving our country in two world wars - for our freedom - and there is no way I will accept this ruling from what can only be described as a 'dictatorship'. IT MUST NOW BE PEOPLE
POWER.

Patricia Harwood, Chorleywood, Herts, England

I worked for 40 years in telecomms, using and abusing computers and their databases. If the error rate in the ID database is similar to the ones we routinely found, then several hundred thousand people will be mis-identified. Why centralise it anyway ? 20 billion (US) pounds is a lot of money to waste on something that won't do any of the things the Govt. claims. Each card could contain the DNA ID of the holder, no need for fingerprints, iris scans or any of those unreliable techniques. All that is required is a quick DNA test, a properly encrypted chip. And NO RFID chip.

R.A. Adams, Truro, England

I wonder how many more people would rebel against the planned ID cards if they knew the true impact of them. When they are introduced you won't be able to buy, rent or sell a house; buy, sell or lease a car; open a bank account or draw over £99 in cash from one; obtain a landline, mobile phone or internet connection, visit a doctor, a hospital or buy anything at a pharmacy; obtain a passport. You won't be able to get a job, temporary or permanent, as employers will demand them so they can prove they are only employing eligible people. On top of this, the Home Secretary will be able to suspend or revoke your ID card whenever they feel like it, without any judicial oversight or right to appeal. It will become your provisional licence to live in the U.K., whether native or alien, which could be taken away at any time. Strangely enough, this government has never publicised the full extent of the measure. Quelle surprise. And what freedoms will this totalitarian measure preserve? Heil Blair

Jim Dandring, Droitwich,

Some British people have little idea how simple life is without an ID card. You are the identity you wish to be.

test334, London,

I stand for the ID card remorm. Right here in China 2nd card is issued .

Baron, Zhengzhou, PRC

I don't object to id cards, I do object to paying for them. The government wants us to have them then they should pay.

Billie, York,

2014 huh? Well, if people are genuinely opposed make this the main reason to vote, and vote them out of office.

Come the next election I will vote for any party I think will help get them out of office (the good old tactical vote).

Neil Murphy, cromer,

If the card design was only opened with the fingerprint so the information was hidden in the cards memory it would be so much better. Any time you are held up or your purse or briefcase is stolen you have the risk of losing keys and your address being given to the wrong people. Biometric protection is the only awnser. This would be used for driver ID and passport ID and Health card ID's. Such systems are out there.

Donald Levering, Orange, USA/California

As a Brit who moved to France a few years ago and opened a business, It was a requirement to register and gain an identity, (including an ID card) In France one has to carry indentity at all times. The only time this became a huge concern for me (apart from thr time spent on the initial process to "quslify" and apply for this) was when I was cs gassed, and mugged in a car ambush. Along with many other items, my ID card was taken, unfortunately the ID cards in France have our addresses on them, when taken along with your keys........ this becomes a very different problem.
The UK passport does not list addresses, so as long as the imformation that can be gained from a card is extremely limited (to anyone with a card scanner) and security is built in to prevent anyone without high clearance to access further information, ID's need not be a bad thing, Immediately further details are available, it open personal security issues, endangering the individual and thier possesions.

Cyd Mansell, Antibes, France

I think this government underestimates the great British public and their ability to stand up to these despots.

Jimbo, Grangemouth,

Well written, Cassius.
You would think from some of the comments in this forum that a desire for anonymity is indicative of criminal intent. I value my anonymity (what's left of it) because with it I feel I still have a little bit of individual power and freedom. My actions should be my own, provided they do not impinge inconsiderately upon others. People say that we already have CCTV, etc. so why should anyone object to ID cards. Well, many of us object to CCTV cameras too! Taking the "nothing to hide nothing to fear" argument to its logical if, at present, scientifically hypothetical conclusion, should a mind-reading brain implant be developed which could monitor our thoughts then law-abiding "citizens" should have no reason to object to that either. I suppose when we've reached the non-hypothetical position where no movement is permitted without it being tracked then it won't seem such a big deal.

steve, birmingham,

What's the betting the new ID card will come with an associaed A4 piece of paper which you also have to carry with it..?

Richard, London,

There is one small but important factor of ID cards to consider. Do you know that the chip in the card means that it can be tracked? Has any one also noticed that there has been no mention whatsoever of the extra airspace that will be created when television goes into digital broadcasting? Could it be being kept aside to track those who carry ID cards?

J A Carter, Neath,

To all of those who think "if you have nothing to hide it's ok to have ID cards" I suggest they go to the ICAMS website (Internatioal Campaign Against Mass Surveillance) and read thier ICAMS report I was shocked at what is being planned by goverments.
But it all made sense to as to why our current goverment is
so obsessed with monitering all aspects of our lives there is a long term agenda. Read it and weep if we don't do something NOW it's going to be to late.

sade symon, london, uk

The proposed U.K. ID card system is not just a card or an identifying number. It will be radically more oppressive than any system used anywhere in the world. The only ones that even come close are those used by Singapore and Malaysia.
The U.K. system will replace your bank and credit cards and will control your access to getting work, public services, medical treatment, benefits and immigration control. The Government will authorise access to any of these, so that you will not be allowed to withdraw cash from your bank or buy a loaf of bread from a shop unless it permits you to.
Every time you use your card, a record of the date, time, place and reason for use will be stored on the National Identity Register (the infamous audit trail). This permits detailed computer analysis of your lifestyle, where you go, what you spend your money on, how much you rely on public services etc.
Just think what a corrupt Government (such as the one we have now) could do with this kind of power.

Brian Drury, London Colney, England

And what exactly is wrong with being anonymous if you are not breaking any laws?
I use cash whenever possible, I map read so no sat nav, I don't use an Oyster card - just my mobile lets me down! I am still a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen - just someone who doesn't want unnecessary information about me out there in the ether!
I also agree with the woman who said that once we have these cards we are guilty until proven innocent and as a British citizen I have always been proud of being innocent until proven guilty.
Amazing isn't it - the prisons are too full for real criminals - wonder if they will find room for all us I.D. card rebels?

cassius, London,

Please go and read 'brown' by Franck Pavloff

thin end of the wedge and all that

Please take the opportunity to 'lose' your passport and get a new one before you have to go and sit in a room and be interviewed.

Aspiration Jones

Aspiration Jones, Manchester, UK

[Cynthia & Brian Godfrey, I'll say it again: the government can already find out whatever it wants] In which case Mr Starling, why is the government planning to waste £20 billion on creating the National Identity Register, which will track every use of the ID Card? How many hospitals could be built for that money? How many more police patrols could be provided with that money? Why not spend the money on something that will help rather than monitor the British population?

Stephen, Thomas, UK

It is not ridiculous to be opposed to ID cards. I have a HK ID Card and that is very much like a passport, which I assume is the case in other countries that have ID cards. These types of cards are not the problem.

Britiain appears to be contemplating something very dangerous. If anyone has seen minority report you can imagine how frightening it is to be regularly monitored and for the government to know where you are at any moment in time. Tom Cruise's eyes are scanned by iris readers everywhere he goes. They even greet him when he enters a shop. If the government gets hold of our iris patterns and dna and puts all info on a card or database we will enter a new big brother era.

If you think fiction can never be reality then you're mistaken. With boots or tesco cards just think about the coupons they send you. It is targeted towards what they know you will buy. As you see our lives are already monitored to a high extent. What next?

Cara Lee, Warrington, UK

Please read "1984".

Tom Bowler, Glen Ellyn, USA/IL

Cynthia & Brian Godfrey, I'll say it again: the government can already find out whatever it wants.

Starling, Lancaster,

Aside from the fact that this project couldn't be delivered successfully by this government (however, I'm sure the definition of 'success' can be manipulated); ID fraud will be far more likely after its completion. Data is valuable to banks and other financial institutions so they look after it. It isn't intrinsically valuable to the several hundred thousand civil servants who will have access to every single detail of your lives - HIV test? Cancer gene? Caught truanting at 12? Smoker? Dog owner? Muslim? etc - so, unfortunately, they won't look after it. Make that 15,000,001.

Tito, Cardiff, UK

ID cards are brilliant if they are used correctly. Crime detection (i.e. fraud) can be reduced but I can already hear criminals running to lawyers claiming their human rights have been violated. Also, this government has allowed too much breach under the Data Protection Act that it cannot be trusted with such sensitive information. And finally, if the government feels they can save money in future by us carrying these cards, then why are we paying for them. I won't pay for one, but will carry one with pleasure if they are provided free of charge. I already pay too much in taxes etc.

Veronica Jones, Hatfield, UK

What a load of codswallop people talk about ID cards. Living abroad for many years, I carried one in three or four different countries and never had any 'Big Brother' experiences. They were just another card in your wallet that you sometimes had to produce to deal with bureaucracies. That's all. Leave out all this rubbish about jackboots and WWII. I'm much more worried about ID fraud, and ID cards could help combat this.

oohkuchi, sheffield, uk

[I'm sorry, Laura, but how does carrying a piece of plastic around impinge my civil liberties?]

Being compelled to show it to any jobsworth who Parliament in its infinite stupidity authorises to see it. ID Cards are a means of social control as is demonstrated by the £1,000 automatic fines that will be given to anyone who fails to update any of the 51 pieces of information on the identity register.

You may change your tune Helen when it's you that's been fined. But then it will be too late. Fortunately for you there are at least 15 million people whose resistance might save you from your own ignorant complacency.

Stephen, Thomas, UK

[I can't understand the hostility to ID cards written in these messages. I don't buy into conspiracy theories that government is some hideous organisation]

It is not necessary to believe in 'conspiracy theories' to think that government run identity management is a very bad idea. If the government interposes itself between about every commercial transaction - as it has openly stated that it intends to do - the loss or rescinding of an ID Card woculd mean that the citizen is unable to do anything, not even retrieve his own money. This is called a single point of failure and any sensible system would avoid it. At present we can use multiple documents to establish identity on the small number of occasions when it is genuinely required. There is no sound reason why this system should be changed. Why the hell should I show an ID Card when paying by credit card as pro-ID Card posters would want when I can enter a PIN number without the state getting involved whatsoever.

Stephen Thomas, Tonbridge , UK

So we`re all paranoid. So you`re happy to have all this information about your life held on a database until you die for anyone, who concvinces the government, to see without your knowledge .

Look here for the ID Card Act
http://www.magnacartaplus.org/news/index.php/?page_id=95

And you thought it was just a piece of plastic.


"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face--for ever.' George Orwell 1984

Andrew, Llanelli, UK

I dont think in all the years living in the UK have I & my husband been so angry re the introduction of IDs. Many brave men & women died in WW2 so we would not fall under the boot of the Nazis. Now 60 yrs later, Tony Blair wishes to take away our freedom and invade our personal life in a way never before experienced in the UK. Those of us in the Jewish community should feel sheer horror at the thought that we will all be on a data base. May I ask, what would happen, if at some point in the future an ultra Right-wing government were to come to power and suddenly decide that Jews should be deported or worse. It is frightening. Latest info suggests fraudsters/criminals will still be able to access information. There is no such thing as security system that cannot be 'hacked into' and the cost of £200 per person is iniquitous, how will the elderly manage on their already stretched budgets. Even attending special centres will cause a great deal unnecessary concerns and hardship.

Cynthia & Brian Godfrey, London, UK

ID cards or not, the government knows all about you, and if it doesn't, it can find out. I honestly don't understand why people feel the need to whine about it.

starling, Lancaster,

""Those who give up their freedom for safety will soon find that they have neither."

-Benjamin Franklin"

I'm sorry, Laura, but how does carrying a piece of plastic around impinge my civil liberties? I don't do anything that the law says I shouldn't, and provided that the information is kept on a safe and secure standalone database to prevent people hacking in, why is there a problem? I would far rather my information be readily available, should someone have to identify my backened remains than for my family not to know what had happened to me.

Helen P, Reading, Berkshire

From reading some of the comments below it appears people actually believe that this is to be introduced for the Good and Convenience of us and seem oblivious to the worrying benefits the government will gain. Please take off the blinkers!

Jamie, London,

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/IDreferendum/

If you are opposed, please vote.

Jamie, London,

A photo, my name & blood group .....that'd all that's needed for an ID.

Phil, Preston,

This might be an age thing (I'm 21) but I don't really mind having an official ID. I often get asked for proof of age and I don't always carry my provisional driving licence on me. At both colleges I attended over the years I had to display my ID at all times, and now at work we are looking to bring in ID badges.

Steph, London,

I don't mind having an ID card as long as I dont get arrested if I haven't got it with me!

peter, London, UK

"Those who give up their freedom for safety will soon find that they have neither."

-Benjamin Franklin

Laura Middleton, Hexham, Northumberland, UK

ID cards will not, by themselves stop, terrorist acts, benefit fraud or forgery acts. The problem the UK government has is its inability to organise a secure data base of sufficient size. Just refer to the fiasco over the National Health Service computer programme and you will see what I mean. We all have identity cards in Spain and carry them at all times. They cost about £7. When the Madrid train bombings took place the bodies and casualties had these cards on them and the authorities were able to provide a list on the web indicating where they could be located. I stress that the cards are listed on a secure , efficient data base.

COLIN HILL, MADRID, SPAIN

Brittish Friends, There is nothing wrong with I.D. cards. The New Global Order necessitates the use of one, and most people will capitulate to eat and do their lives. Is the potential for abuse there? Of course. But like the American Mafia, who was so fond of convincing people to pay protection money cause, "We don't want nuttin' bad to happen to you's" most people will take the short term path of least resistance. The problem is not the card,nor the chip, it's the people (like Augustus) who will be doing the monitoring, who themselves shall be exempt. Have you read Paine and "Common Sense".? He pointed out the glaring problem in Old English Govt.: You had the commons checking the Nobles, who were checking the King. And the whole stinkin' lot of them were "on the take". So who was checking them? Please, take no offense, American Govt is almost totally corrupt also. Friends, many in U.S. govt. knew not only the names of the 911 terrorists beforehand, but also their intentions.

steve driscoll, Des Moines, IA, United States/ Iowa

I can't understand the hostility to ID cards written in these messages. I don't buy into conspiracy theories that government is some hideous organisation. I am concerned that the ID cards will be rolled out before the technology is ready, but anything that makes our society safer is a good thing. Some of the messages imply that we should remove all of our security measures.
I'm a father of two young children. My overwhelming wish is for them to be safe all their lives. I was attacked as a student in Norwich. I so wish I had been on a camera and help had come... I don't want my children to ever experience the immediate pain, followed by days of dread and humiliation that I went through. I would be happy for them to be on camera wherever they go. I'd trade a little bit of liberty for safety any day.
We'll carry ID cards. No problem.

David, Cambridge, UK

I have just tried to explain this protest to German friend, they cannot believe it. They also do not understand that there is no "Meldepflicht" in Britain. In Germany when you move house you have to go to the town hall and register your new address. My friend said, "Britain is a paradise for criminals".

Yes, maybe. But only if they don't get caught on CCTV. All this fuss about ID cards and you can hardly move in Britain for cameras.

Lynn, Düsseldorf,

I worked on the last largest government IT project, that was an interesting experience but in terms of success it was a disaster and nothing more. and expensive un controllable disaster. That also involved an element of personal details being stored for multiple purposes and that is where i see the ID project going. Start small, say everything is going to be ok and then slowlz introduce new elements to it with the commentary of look how useful the system is now.... i say no.

Rob Harrison, Bradford, Britain

You British are utterly ridiculous about this ID card issue!
You don't comment on the big-brother-zillion-CCTV cameras you spread everywhere in the UK but you revolt against a simple paper that will greatly facilitate your lives in all the administrative steps of your everyday lives.
Don't you find it ridiculous to have to produce a telephone or gas bill every time you have to prove your identity? What about the ones that don't have the bills in their names? double, triple work?

Victor, Paris, France

"The sole function of ID cards will be to control and monitor the population."

Ever heard of the electoral register? NHS numbers? NI numbers? Birth certificates? The government doesn't need ID cards to "control and monitor the population".

ID cards will be handy. No more endless security checks when you try to open a bank account (great fun online, ever tried that?), stupid stuff about bringing in two envelopes with your name and address on (when you've just moved, argh), etc.

Starling, Lancaster,

If ID cards are such a good idea, why are their proponents unable to adduce any sound arguments for them?

Two recent supporters of ID Cards lecture us that:

[Opponants of ID cards fall into two groups; the niave and the criminal], and

[Law abiding citizens WELCOME ID cards]

There are plenty of counter-examples to these insulting, low-brow 'justifications' for ID Cards. But the most telling thing about such comments is that they are uttered because there is no sound case for ID Cards. If there were someone would have made it by now, and we've been waiting for five years.

Stephen Thomas, Tonbridge , UK

[Law abiding citizens WELCOME ID cards ]

And millions of law abiding citizens oppose ID cards and will refuse to be registered.

Stephen Thomas, Tonbridge ,

The point about ID Cards is that they are simply not needed. After 5 years of trying to make a case for them the government has failed, and can only bleat that they might 'help' reduce certain sorts of fraud, crime & terrorism. To which any sane response would be: would the degree of help be commensurate with the cost (£20 billion & climbing) and reduction of liberty? To those who cite other countries use of ID cards: do they have less crime than we do? Answer - no. Do they have less terrorism than we do? Answer - no. Do they have less fraud than we do? Answer - no. Those who accuse opponents of ID cards are being 'paranoid' or 'criminals' have already lost the argument and proved how poor the case for ID cards is, when you can come up with no positive reasons for the things and your argument is to libel those who have sound arguments for opposing them.

Stephen Thomas, Tonbridge ,

In an ideal world we'd not even consider ID cards but unfortunatly the world is far from ideal.

Opponants of ID cards fall into two groups; the niave and the criminal.

I'm neither of those things so this idea can't materialize quick enough.

Martin Carnaffin, Nottingham, Notts

What you mean is YOU would like Millions to Rebel over ID cards. YOU the media have decided that you don't like them so you give ID cards a poor press.

Law abiding citizens WELCOME ID cards

Reduces fraud and allows us to move about the EU without passports.

So what's YOUR problem? ID cards will be great!

Peter GODDARD, Epsom, England, EU

Make that 15million and 1.

Now really have your say and sign up to the Downing Street e-petition against identity cards:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/IDreferendum/

James, London, England

Surely the greatest danger in ID cards is that they provide such a powerful tool of oppression. At a keystroke, the authorities would have the power to render any opponent a Non-person, deprived of rights to work, travel or even access their own funds. This may not occur under our present benign government, but who will be in control ten, twenty or fifty years from now?

There will be no need to imprison or fine objectors, or even fight them through the courts. They will simply be unable to survive without valid ID. Then even a citizen with 'nothing to hide' could suddenly find that something subversive like a comment in The Times or membership of an opposition party renders their ID "Not Valid"

Rob, Southampton, UK

The sole function of ID cards will be to control and monitor the population. The already law-abiding population. Anyone who is an illegal immigrant or criminal will not toe the line and will ignore this law as they ignore all other laws, just like the memorable firearms act of 1997 which made handguns illegal and removed them all from our streets. Real impact: no more police vetted legally certified sportsmen and women, with only criminals owning pistols. Real impact of the ID card system? Further restraints on the law abiding citizen, to be funded by the same. You can stuff your ID cards; anyone volunteering for such a scheme is handing their freedom and independence away. We already have means of establishing ID, through driving licenses, passports, birth certificates etc- why do we need another method? Because incompetence in the home office has made all these methods invalid, and we're expected to foot the bill to sort out the bungles, as usual.

Pete North, manchester,

Hi
I'm a french boy. Just for say that in france there already are lot of biometrical control points for students (from 3 to 25 years old), for employees, and there also lot of citizen initiative so as to destroy them. One thing we hallucinate in england, is the really enormous amount of cameras in the streets. In france, the only thing cameras do (et reporters photos/cam) is helping police so as to identify manifestants or activist during demonstrations or riots...
So maybe you have seen "Welcome to Gattaca" => if sarkozy wins the election, it will become "Welcom to Gattaca, the 4th Européean Reich"..... Good luck for all !!! only fighting pay's !

Raph, paris, france

I think ID cards are necessary in today's Britain. Even the French are complaining about the fact the UK doesn't have ID cards, as it encourages illegals to travel through their country en route to the UK as they can get jobs without the need for a proper ID card (or an expensive fake).

We've got to wake up. Britain is no longer the country it was thirty years ago where everyone went to school with everyone in their area. We have no idea who is here, people are accessing services and jobs with nothing but a copied letter from the home office, and the numbers are putting a strain on services.

Alex, Halifax, UK

I'm an Englishman living in Sweden, where you are issued a "personal number" when you are born. This is used on driving licenses and national i.d. cards. It is used for access to health care, buying booze if you don't look old enough, confirming your i.d. when using a credit card, etc. For example, when I want car insurance, I just give the company my personal number and everything is fixed - takes about two minutes.

While I was not in favour of an i.d. system when I lived in England, since being here I've found it hugely useful.

John Miles, Stockholm, Sweden

Mikki has a good point. Who gets to make the money? Which firm will get the contract? Which gang of politicians will they have links with?

Then again, who will the data be sold on to? Who gets to make money out of this deal (apart from Balls & Brown at the Treasury).

The whole thing stinks. We used to read of Walpole's England and of banana republics with disgust. Now it's us.

Michael Bruce, Selby, Yorkshire

"The danger lies not in the cards themselves, but in the biometric database that will stand behind them. "

Go to the European court. I do not believe they are actually allowed to use a biometric database. It's against European privacy laws. The other EU countries that have compulsory IDs do not have a biometric database.

starling, Lancaster,

Those who object to ID cards, why don´t you object
to passports, too?
What is going to be of your privacy?

Jesus Merino, Vitoria, Spain

I too am one of the 15m. I spent 29 years protecting freedoms that some of our forebears gave their lives to protect. I have also travelled widely in oppressive regimes and seen ordinary people humiliated, bullied and abused by power wielding state agents. People who support ID cards just because other nations have them are no more than lemmings. In the past in UK we have always led, not followed, and it is this leadership that has won UK Ltd the international respect that is now being squandered by dissolute politicians set over a seemingly increasingly spineless electorate. I don't believe that there are only 15m objectors - but I am ready to believe that at present there are only 15m with the courage to stand up and remind people of what has made Britain ‘Great’ in the eyes of the world. Take courage fellow Britons; do not walk as lambs to the slaughter on the back of Blair’s Brave New World. Stand up for your freedom!

John Swainson, Dauntsey Lock, Wiltshire

Those who say "what's the problem with having ID cards?" are missing the point. The danger lies not in the cards themselves, but in the biometric database that will stand behind them. In the not too distant future when our huge number of CCTV cameras have face, voice and even gait and DNA recognition capabilities, they will be able to track the daily movements of not just one but millions of citizens as they go about their daily business.

Perhaps you have nothing to hide, but others may. Routine tracking of journalist's movements may reveal that one of the govt's fiercest critics is close to an attractive young lady, which could open him to blackmail. Do you value your free press, or don't you?

Finally, if your question is "what harm can a little information do?" then try asking the Dutch Jews. All Dutch ID cards contained information about religion, to ensure proper burial. Hitler found this very convenient - the Dutch Jews were the easiest in Europe to round up.

voltaire, London,

In Denmark, where I live, the scheme works well. My 'ID' is also my Euro-health card with the name, address and phone no. of my doctor. The card system means that only legal residents can stay here.

Yes, I can always be identified by my unique number, but that is a small price to pay for the benefits to the community, given that I have nothing to hide, unlike the would-be fraudsters in the UK apparently..

wokrightinn, Rudkøbing, Denmark

To Steve, Framingham

Do you carry a credit card, passport, driving license, have car registration, or live in a cave without contact with the outside world? How did you submit your comments to the article.... via another ID-able medium. Any form of identity can be duplicated or forged, you're not safe now and never will be.

I have lived in various countries, both democracies and not over the last 15 years. All have ID cards and never has holding or presenting the card had a negative impact. I acknowledge the potential for abuse but to simply say no because the government tell us to hold an ID is ludicrous.

Paul, Riyadh, KSA

the state should make a swift and punishing example of those who defy the scheme. liberty and privacy are soon becoming obsolete. in today's world we must ahve the means to track everyone at all times. i believe the authorities should go one step further, and put GPS tracking devices in all id cards, where the holder can be tracked at all times. failure to produce the id would result in a mandatory prison term. the people do not need liberty. they need protection from the filth pc policies have unleashed throughout the decadent western nations.

hadrian augustus dominus, paterson, nj

Are the lives of the people of this county in such dire straits that they need ID cards to lead them to utopia. The proposed ID card scheme is nothing like any system in use anywhere in the world. The details of everyones lifestyle will reside, until they die, on a database called The National Identity Register. Why does the state need to keep this information when all you want is to prove your ID.The card will be issued by the government and will remain the property of the state until death. So they will own the card, they will own your ID. You live here by their permission ,whereas before you lived here by right of birth. If all this is required to protect us from illegal immigrants, terrorists and fraudsters then the victory is already theirs.

Andrew, Llanelli, UK

Dear Britain: how about keeping up with the rest of the world, hmm? You're hopelessly behind.

starling, Lancaster,

So what if many European countries have ID cards?

The heirs of Franco, Hitler, Mussolini and Petain are welcome to them.

The old canard of 'If you've nothing to hide, you've nothing to fear' might as well be used to defend placing CCTVs in every home in the country. Such drivel is only emitted by those who have forgotten what English liberty and the principles of common law are.

Ian, London,

I cannot believe that the once free people of England would accept this impingment. As free people why do you need to continuously prove your innocense? I guess the Magna Carta is no longer taught in English schools.

Brian, deepinaharta, Texas

I cannot believe the paranoia of those objecting to ID cards. An ID card will be a big asset to protecting everyone from many types of fraud, identity theft, and will save much time and admisistrative costs in many areas where proof of identity is required. Everyone has a birth certificate, everyone is required to complete a census form, drivers have licences, all students have ID cards ... whatever is wrong with you people. All this talk of a police state is absolute toffee....get over yourselves you whinging fools.

Viv, London, England

We should not worry about ID cards, 60 million people on a central database with multiple pieces of information including biometric. This government and no other government will ever manage to get this completed on time or within budget so we will be at least 10 years late and 5 times the original estimate and then it will not work.

Lets remember if these cards are to be used correctly there will be a huge number of scanning points and we do not have the technology to cope or the companies that could implement such a project.

We should of course ensure that if they do go ahead with this project that the company who wins the tender does so at a fixed cost with very specific requirements, this is a normal business method of ensuring you do not hemorage money.

Joseph Kellie, Edinburgh, Scotland

wow!, what are you all so frightened of? why would you not want to prove to anyone who you are? apart from the obvious of course.....
I (like martyn-mallorca) live in Spain where we have id cards, it's just so much easier in banks/shops etc etc, it's no infringement on your freedom, (believe me we're very free here) it's just something official to show you are who you are, unless for some reason you don't want to be who you are............

george, canary islands,

Coming from Spain, I've had an ID card from the age of 14. For more than 10 years I've never felt my privacy invaded.

Now I've been for over two years in the UK and with all these CCTVs and access cards with my personal data in them, I feel that my privacy is being much more violated than ever before.

Don't take me wrong, I love this country and would love to live here for many years. But my point is that I do not see how an ID card will substantially increase privacy invasion in the UK.

Luis Casimiro, London, UK

HOW (exactly how, no rhetoric or tired cliches) would ID cards prevent another July 7 attack? The July 7 terrorists were UK citizens who were legally in this country and would have had no problem obtaining ID cards. A piece of paper, biometric or not, would not have stopped them from massacring Londoners. SImilarly, the 9/11 bombers all had valid visas and passports.

The usage of ID cards in the 'fight against terror' is another lie from the government that told us Iraq had WMD and could attack the UK with 45 mins notice. Who will run the ID card scheme? Probably one of the huge processors that regularly screws up congestion charging and still receives tons of money from the government. Just another money-spinner for Labour cronies. I am a professional law-abiding, tax-paying citizen, but I will go to prison before I pay nearly £100 for my personal data to be potentially sold or used negligently - anything could happen to it with these corrupt, deceitful liars in charge

Micki, London,

To those who say 'if you've got nothing to hide you've got nothing to fear', would you mind including your full address in your next comments? oh, and I would also like your credit card details, mother's maiden name and place of birth, thanks.

To other people criticising those who dont want an ID card, why doesnt the government make them optional? That would surely please everybody right?

Andy, london, UK

ID cards are great. It is about time that they were introduced. Those people really concerned and worried about the ID card introduction are clearly not bothered about all the illegal immigrants walking the streets and claiming our benefits!! Why is it that they all choose to come to the UK? They can't get access to the system in France or Germany beause it's managed properly with ID cards. Invasion of privacy? don't make me laugh the UK has the most CCTV cameras on earth. You're already monitered 24/7. Only the hoodie wearing, ID card hating criminals should be concerned - you can't hide behind proper ID.

Robert Neale, Birmingham, UK

I could write an essay on why the identity card is a good thing and doesn't infringe on any decent persons 'human rights' etc... but i have only got 848 characters left.

Instead i will say the following:

According to the story 15m people are against ID cards.

In the U.K. there are approximately 60 million people.

According to this very simple rationality 45million people support ID cards or don't see them as something to worry about.

I think you can work out my point...

David, Manchester, England

I do not think that the labour party will be in power at the time they hope to enforce these stupid things. They have saids hat they will enforce it so automatically they have lost 15 million votes which is an awful amount of votes. The I.D. cards will not be safer. People I know have already heard from people that will forge an I.D. card so already not looking good. We are also forgetting the phrase innocent until proven guilty. Being forced to have these cards is just telling us that we are guilty until proven innocent. I am a law biding citizen I have never been in trouble with the police at all in my life. I do not need to have to pay for a piece of plastic that confirms this.

Victoria Graves, Ulverstone, England

Having lived in France, Germany, Turkey and now Kuwait I am more than happy to carry my ID card and show it to whoever wants to see it.

In the last 2 days I have used it to verify my identity when paying for my groceries by credit card (signatures are easier to forge than ID cards), used it at my bank to obtain a new credit card (no fuss with utility bills) and used it to show it was ME who received a letter delivered to me by courier.

I can use it to travel overseas (sometimes - but never back on the island), use it to join various clubs and societies (if they want to know who I really am), use it to hire a car, gain employment, prove my age, prove my address, and they make excellent ice-scrapers when the car windscreen is frozen.

Greg, Istanbul, Turkey

Mikki in London- I cannot believe your outrageous comments about 'ethnics'. My parents are Scots living in England (therefore part of an ethnic minority) are you worried they might mug you? Or my husband who is Albanian and has an entirely legitimate right to be here? Might he set upon you?!? Statistics prove that white British/English people commit more crime than eny other group.

S. Misha, Northampton,

How soon before these chains are literal, and we have these numbers burnt into our foreheads?

jack, york,

Come back to the real world - all these comments about not wantingto be on a database etc for centuries no we have been recorded on databases go back to Magna Carta and further back to King Herod. For the vast majority of people their data file will only be noise in the database.

For our American friends be real you have had national ID cards for years in the format of Driver Licences and has that impacted your freedom no - for the conspiracy theorists check out behind the photo there is an embedded RFID tracking your movements

The only real issue that needs to be debated is the security of the database and who has access.

John B, belper,

I am one person who will refuse to carry, or indeed supply any information for an ID card. We are sleepwalking into a police state and the sooner people wake up and realize this the better. I say scrap this idea and also scrap all the CCTV surveillance that has replaced genuine policing.

Malcolm Barrett, Bexleyheath, England

During the cold war the West used to pride itself on its freedoms and derided those nations that did not have those freedoms. One of the largest symbols of a society derided as unfree was one which demanded its citizens carried ID cards. So what is next?

Jonathan McEnery, St Albans, UK

If it can be demonstrated that identity cards will halt or, at the very least, drastically reduce identity theft, benefit fraud, illegal immigration, etc., etc., and that we will have the technology, police procedures, etc., etc., in place to make it all work, and that my rights of privacy, freedom of movement, etc., etc., will not be eroded, then I will have no concerns about carrying one.

It's a big 'if' though. . . .

Chris Long, Thirsk, North Yorkshire

I would recommend at this stage that everyone reads George Orwell's 1984. If you've already read it, but not recently, I recommend you read it again. Perhaps The Times/ Sunday Times could do a giveaway limited edition to inform its readers, or a serialisation? It may inspire people to action before it really does become too late.

I would also like to see that it as a set text for all those citizenship classes the government has recently introduced.

Natalie, Northants, UK

How would showing your ID card prevent credit card fraud? Only in the case of physical presence at point of purchase, but for web or phone purchases the card doesn't help.

Philip Addyman, Newcastle,

I'm not concerned about having an ID card - I have nothing to hide. What bothers me is the cost. These will be compulsory yet we have to pay a fortune to have them. They will also not stop crime. The Spanish have to carry their ID card with finger prints and all sorts of information on them but that didn't prevent the Madrid bombings. The people that they need to catch will not fork out near on £100 for an ID card, let alone provide accurate information about themselves.

Claire, Sussex, UK

The Labour party says it will make ID cards compulary IF it wins the next election so we have no need to worry then because they won't

Sydney Hobson, Leeds, uk

I find it amazing that will all the ills besetting the UK, anti-social behaviour, gun/knife crime, immigration, high taxes, lack of support for our elderly, etc. we find ID cards the most important issue to rebel against.

Elizabeth Edmondson, Athens, Greece

wake up all you people out there dont you realise western
goverments have to invent jobs for workers our
manufacturing base has been moved to china and so
goverment are reinventing jobs that cant be taken abroad
i e . id cards. people watching its not rocket science
we cant all work at takeaways. ps ,mr bin laden put
race relations back 200 years

george william taylor, hull, uk

No I will not 'produce my papers' In fact will not allow myself to be issued with papers. I believe in freedom and am willing to fight for it.

Anthony, London,

This ID card will be a case of all the country running backwards to the days of Pass Books and Permits issued to the ethnic minorities. The majority will learn how it is to show papers on demand while you go about on your normal business. Bin the Card sooner than later, I say.

Anoop Verma, Farnborough, England

Isn't is easier to provide your ID card when you want to open a bank account or ask for a credit card rather than asking someone else to prove that you are who you say you are? I think it is none of other persons bussiness to know about anything I am doing or what I want to do. Regarding credit cards, fraud would be controlled if everytime you pay with one of them you show your ID card proving you are the holder of the card. That would save millions of pounds. And what about identity fraud? They only need a correct address on any bill that has been thrown away to say they are you. If you provide your ID number when you join any kind of service (BT, Britsh Gas, Insurance) that can be used as a security login question when you phone them and can not be taken from any bill because it would not show.

3 years in London

Patricia Garcia-Donas, London, UK

It is not necessarily the idea of an identity card card that worries me per se. It is the complete lack of trust in the executive in introducing it for their stated aims. We have a demonstrably devious untrustworthy executive (of either party), backed up by equally untrustworthy civil servants.

richard skelhorn, leeds, england

Stuff the ID card ! Yet another totalitarian scheme by this goverment hell bent on controlling every aspect of the British peoples lives.
I will not be forced into carrying one

Lee Sayer, Middlesbrough, UK

We have always been a number to the socialist governments of this country. We are NI numbers, NHS numbers, taxpayer ID numbers, driver numbers, passport numbers, PIN numbers and soon we'll all be ID card numbers. Computers don't work well with names, they need numbers. Big deal; as long as my number is different from yours I don't see why I should care - except those that make and program computers make mistakes are the systems aren't secure. The real issue is the false assumption that an ID card is yet another panacea that will solve hundreds of crimes, prevent fraud and target criminals. Yes and Father Christmas is real, too! How far from reality can this government get before the public realise they are and vote them out of office?

Brian, Farnham, UK

I think ID cards are great. The only thing that bothers me is the fee but Mr Brown has already offset that by reducing my tax next year. Records of a persons DNA and figerprints should be stored at the earliest oppertunity. Just think if we had everyones details no criminal could get away. Now when someone breaks into my car i can call the police who will be able to lift a fingerprint and instantly tell me who it was. For those of you who disagree you must be criminals so your id card should be fitted with a tracking device and stapled to your head.

For those of you complainin about a "Nanny State", have a look around, it already is, these cards will not add to that. How do you think these UK based terrorists are caught? All our communication, email or phone is already monitered. Even your employers moniter what you say over email. And even here to add this comment i must give an email address, so they can sell my details. How can an ID card invade our privacy more than that?

Grant, London,

The Tories must think that Christmas has come early. 15m guaranteed votes!

Tony, Coventry,

What is wrong with an ID card ? We have NHS cards, Passports, Bank cards, Ni numbers, So if an ID card can protect us from illegal immigrants, then bring it on.
The only people to prosper by not having an I/D card are those who wish to remain anonymous within Great Britain.

Paul Box, Bristol,

NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!
I will not give my finger prints or my money to ANY any government
to misuse & squander.
They better start building a whole load of new prisons if they are
pig headed enough to press ahead with this oppressive plan.

On the other hand, why are we all getting so angry about it when
Herr Blair & Herr Brown will be just a bad memory by the time they
are hoping to make ID cards compulsory

Maggie Millington, Brittany, France

I am a Brit who resents the nanny state, I also have an ID card and in twenty years police have asked to see it three times, each time when I was stopped in my car.

I find it very helpful in using my credit card while shopping, getting credit on a car or signing contracts for business etc.

I feel that I live in one of the most liberal and free countries in the world: Spain.

ID cards won't take away your freedom, fear of other citizens will.

Martyn Millard, Calvia, Mallorca

Wake up to reality and take a page out of Singapore's book or Hong Kong's book. Carrying an ID card will protect our freedom and preserve our national security in a more efficient and certain manner than the constant rhetoric of freedom spouted by politicians and protestors. This rhetoric is an indulgence from the past --- today the UK is a broken society and its well overdue for a zero tolerance approach.

Alix Burrell, Singapore,

Who says that the movie "V for Vendetta" was fiction? Sounds more like a documentary of Britain in the early 21st century to me...... let's hope the ending will be the same.....

P Beck, London,

The most important word any human has ever learnt to say is: No.

No, I will not obey; no, I will not comply.

No, I will not accept an ID card. I am a British citizen and I am free and I do not need a government-issued licence to be allowed to remain a free citizen of the country that fought Hitler.

I will not obey; I will not comply.

No.

Graham Marlow, London, England

The national ID card is no more than concrete proof that we are owned by the state, merely chattels to waste in bogus wars and to be the buyers of the land fill trash that is hawked at us every minute that we are awake.
A free society has no need for over four million CCTV cameras watching our every move.
A truly free person living in a truly free society has no need for such apparatus of observance and control.
The national ID card is not about securing your identity, it is not about terrorism reduction, it is actually a license to exist in society under 100% state control. If you refuse to accept your status as a chattel and wish to remain free and removed from their system, they will jail you, there then is your only freedom, accept or be jailed.
It sounds like good old fashioned communism to me, perhaps it is time to remove the UK from the Union of European Soviet Socialist Republics and strike out again as a free and independent nation.

Graham Day-Myron, Hamilton, Canada

Your ID number will be on your forehead or your wrist. It's all in The Bible

Kim Righetti, Upalnd, Calif. USA

Here in the US they are going to try to incorporate it into our drivers licenses next year.

doc, Oklahoma City, USA Ok.

Who really sets to gain from this, what private company?
cost involved is a just another money maker and it certainly will not decrease crime. We seriously need to target the groups that are causing the UK so many problems. Ethnic gangs and recent stabbings. Credit card fraud and ID theft by most foreigners, do people really think that will decrease crime or make criminals think twice.
Everyone should rebel it is the English public who sit back tut and huff about everything that goes on but never does anything about it. I'm sick of my son leaving the house everyday worrying that he isn't going to be mugged again or set upon by ethnics. Instead of hiding these issues people need to put their foot down, stick together and gain a say in this country that has gone down hill, it has becoming a ghetto in London all the goverment has done is created fear just to place an enclosure around everyone, we are being treated like sheep soon to be brandished.

mikki, London, UK

Those who support proposed biometric ID cards should prove folloing points wrong to justify their claims.

Biometric ID documents (cards and passports) will work fine for organisations where everyone concerned is on the database and every point of transaction has equipment to read these documents.

Nationally it is virtually impossible to satisfy both these conditions and hence it is obvious that these documents will fail. In reality they will tempt fraudsters to use fakes of these documents as IDs where there is no reading equipment and hence make bad problems worse by boosting identity fraud.

Yogesh Raja, Aylesbury, U.K.

I did the sensible thing. i left britain 20 years ago. Sad ,but true.

John Snow, Brisbane, Australia

"This is an EU directive."

There is an EU privacy directive that states that the government is only allowed to put a person's name, address, d.o.b. and photo on the ID card, and is also not allowed to ask for more information than that. So skip the UKIP (and the Big Brother) propaganda routine.

starling, Lancaster,

Look, I will never possess an ID card, and even if I am forced to I will never present it when asked. I will continually 'lose' it and blow the consequences. Why? Well quite apart from the fact that I have that good old-fashioned English trait of not liking being told what to do and a healthy sense of contrariness when it comes to authority, I still have not heard a convincing argument as to why we should all carry one. Make no mistake, their forgery will only be a matter of time and any self-respecting terrorist will be carrying one anyway - as in the case of the Madrid bombers. In any case I have enough ID as it is, driving licence, passport etc. So, as far as I am concerned the upheaval, expense, erosion of liberties, not to mention the cost in terms of political disillusionment are far too high a price to pay for any notional concept of 'security' offered by a bit of plastic. I am proud to be one of these 15 million. You carry one if you want. I don't want to!

Ross Woodhouse, Brighton,

The U.S. government is already experimenting with something similar with passports---and this government has recently proved itself to be a lot less than honest and aboveboard in regards to individual privacy and the laws that govern it.

The thing is, for a free nation, it's not a dictator we have to worry about--'tho George Bush and his partisan government flirted with that for a while---it's a corrupt democratic bureaucracy that causes one grave concerns.

Nancy, Glens Falls , USA NY

The idea of relying on biometric data embedded in an ID card for positive identification is fundamentally flawed. If the state has the ability to make such a card, then someone with sufficient resources can make their own.

The only way it works is to have a database containing all of the biometric data and call it up on request. It is much easier to keep a database secure than a id card.

The logical step of embedded chips is just stupid. It marks citizens of the country that impliments it as instant targets in the event of hostalties.

Joe Reichardt , Bronx, USA NY

ID cards do have their uses, but unfortunately, this and future governments are intent on using them for their own purposes, not to the betterment of the people.

For those who are of British Citizenship who are living abroad, if you are enjoying living in your new country and happy there, not minding the idea of an ID card, then I suggest you give up your British citizenship and become a ciizen of the country in which you now reside and intend remaining for the rest of your life! You will then automatically get the ID card you desire. Problem solved!

Democracy no longer exists in this country although many people are given the appearance that it does. With so many postal votes,telephone calls, electronic voting, on the cards for future elections, then it is very easy for votes to be either missed off, or added, that are erroneous. Twist the numbers and through this twist the results.

ID cards are but one more nail in the coffin of loss of freedom and future enslavement.

Carol Noble, Bedlington, UK

I too am one of the 15 million (and counting). This ID card is nothing more that a supra-governmental plan to reduce us all to the status of a number. All the arguments for them fall apart on close inspection. Identity fraud is a problem because the banks and government have allowed it to become one. In a country where banks mistakenly offer credit to dogs is it any wonder that ID theft is easy?

dan, folkestone, england

It is a global agenda. You can call it Soviet-type, nazi-type, EU-type and NWO-type for authoritarianism, is is all the same. It is not for your safety en benefit, it is for modern total control, suppressing, screening and slavery. Are you upset? Stick together and kick them out and set you free. Go in your magnetic vibration and warm love-energy and do this with others and we create enough power to stop the coldblooded leaders.

Jan Kraak, Hardenberg, The Netherlands

It's very difficult for someone who values liberty to explain to someone who doesn't why it is worth trying to preserve those elements of it which still exist in today's society . With limited forum space I can only summarise my view.
None of us enters this world "contracted" to any other person or body of persons.This, for me, is the principle of liberty but, of course, in a group of other people who also individually possess that liberty compromises have to be made simply in order to survive. Recognition, or maybe just an instinctive feeling for and valuing that principle above other things such as, health, security etc, however, is the reason why so many object to the ID card.

steve, birmingham,

I am only happy to have an ID because of the unprecedented number of illegals in our country. There has to be an easy way to identify those that should be here, as opposed to those who should not be.

Christopher Ashley, Ely, UK

They will have to prise the fingerprints and DNA and retna scans off my cold dead body too!

I own myself not the totalatarian government!

Frrreeeeedommmm!!!!!!!!! (quote: William Wallace!)

Brian McHugh, Glasgow, Scotland

George Orwell must be watching us in his grave!

Nonplussed , London, Londinium

It's interesting on this side of the pond watching the expirement of controlling a population that lives on an island go very well...no hangun ownership, cameras everywhere, police non-response in rural areas, tracking chips in new cars, and now national ID cards...and most Brits seem to be not too worried about it...

Guy Fawkes, Independemce, MO, USA

I for one will not be signing up for an ID card. However I will urge all my Scottish friends to vote for the Scottish National Party in the hope that this will lead to Scottish independence and allowing Englishmen to be governed by the English and not by a minority dictatorial money grabbing mafia that currently are in power.

Philip , London, UK

Nothing wrong with I/D cards, my French Nephew's come to see me in the UK on their I/D cards.
if I go to France i need my passport to get back into my own Country UK, trouble with the English unlike the French they have no logic. The English logic is to open windows outward then have to employ a window cleaner!!!

John Wood-cowling, Corby, UK

Having just become an Argentine citizen, I have a brand new National Identification Card with an ID number. With this I can open a bank account, get a telephone, start a business, travel to neighbouring countries and vote without the need for further documentation. I agree that ID cards CAN be misused by a totalitarian regime, but even in a country as politically backward as Argentina they are not - at the moment I LOVE my ID card and am looking forward to getting my British one as well.

jim brims, Buenos Aires, argentina

If they think the prisons are full now, just wait till this protest starts. We will have all the law abiding protestors in jail and all the 'crims' out on the streets. Mad Max movies are here for real.

David Mills, Altea , Spain

As a former soldier/officer of 30 years service, I was used to having an ID Card. Now I find myself one of the protestors againts carrying them (and the compulsory purchase). The idea is fine in principle but the level of control and misuse by the Govt. is the unacceptable factor. The Blair/Brown Lies Alliance proves beyond doubt that they are not to be trusted on this or any other matter.

David Mills, Altea , Spain

I've never bothered voting before, however i would consider myself a labour supporter. I WILL make sure that my vote goes to the conservatives if labour try to go ahead with this

Hank, Leeds,

Labour, win the next election, HA! You MUST be kidding.

They have made such a farce of the last term that they cannot be allowed in again! Especialy with Gready Gordon Brown incharge. i will move to annother country!!

Kim Smith, Helston, England

Should we assume those against the ID card never travel? The difference between the ID card and yet another numbered document, that this time has the ability to consolidate information rather than create just another overhead, is what?

Paul, Riyadh, KSA

They'll prise my fingerprints of my cold, dead, hands.

Ian Cognito, bristol,

The UK does not have ID cards. In any modern, paper-based society you need to be able to prove who you are. As a result, the business of identifying people has been taken over by the private sector: You prove your address and often identity by showing credit cards, utility bills, credit ratings etc. Result: protection of you identity does not exist. As a foreigner in the UK, coming from a country with ID cards, I really found it difficult to get things done in the UK the first year after arrival, precisely because of the absence of ID cards: Proving your address and parts of your ID is extremely difficult with only a foreign passport, as you are left at the mercy of private companies who provide you with proof of your identity. ID cards give you an authoritative statement of your name and address. The result of the current system in the Uk is that once you managed to create a fake ID through some utility company, you can gradually build up an entire fake ID.

steven, Birmingham,

What this Ex policeman says is the correct reason why we are being forced into having ID cards its to appease the United States.

" I am a recently retired Scotland Yard officer. This illiberal, half-baked and ill thought-out assault on civil liberties has nothing to do with the prevention of crime; nothing to do with the so-called terrorist threat; nothing to do with the management of migration. It has everything to do with pressure from the USA to 'regularise' our passport regime in order to protect their borders and to create a database that can be used to further undermine our rights as citizens. ID cards are an affront and MUST be resisted.

Jason Townsend, Walsall, England

I have to laugh at people who say that they are going to switch their vote to one of the other main parties. This is an EU directive. There is precious little difference between the main parties as they're all controlled by Brussels.

Only UKIP will get us out of this mess!

jock, Oceana, EU

Great piece.

sambitbal, bombay, maharashtra

I think only one person has mentioned that the government won't be brave enough to send old ladies and vicars to court. No martyrs here. It will misuse civil proceedings, and bailiffs will be knocking at a lot of doors. Did I also notice that the government also plans to give bailiffs the right to force entry?

This is just one more step towards the goal, of total control by the government...We used to have a right to silence, to be tried by a jury, not to have our dna forced from us (when arrested, even if not charged).

Yes these things sometimes caused problems, some guilty people probably went free, but i was proud of them, and I WAS proud of my country for having these standards.

Well no more...its relentless, thats it. The government whoever they are will have their way, and they are our masters.

The ID card will be introduced whatever we say. We have left it too late.

Gary, Manchester,

To Paul, Riyadh, KSA:

Will you still be in favor of "a uniform number under which all data is processed" when (not if) someone manages to breach the security of the database in which those numbers are contained and gets access to your passport, tax, insurance, etc. information? As a small example, imagine the fun you'd go through in the courts if someone else produces your driver's license info when the police pull him or her over.

If you think any government can make this accessible to the authorities yet still keep it secure, I think you vastly underestimate how attractive this database will be to identity thieves. Some of them would kill their own mothers to get their hands on this type of information, and those that wouldn't would probably pay handsomely for a copy. If this database does get created, I give it a week, maybe two, before someone manages to break in and steal it.

Steve, Framingham, MA, US

To Michael Bruce, Selby, Yorkshire: Okay, so maybe Labour won't be around by 2014, except in the history books or the International Criminal Court, but don't let's forget about the millions that the current government has already spent on pilot programmes. Originally, Blunkett wanted a new, clean database. Now we are told this is too expensive, so the government plans instead to reuse existing databases and cobble on some additional "features" somehow. Originally, the biometric data was to include iris scans, but the government has discovered that these are not at all reliable or indeed easy to acquire in some people. I expect those are the reasons why Blair recently said that everyone, innocent or no, should be prepared to have his or her DNA sampled and stored on the National DNA Database. Then there's the millions spent on the NHS data "spine" that many doctors refuse to get involved with it's so atrocious. Automatic number plate surveillance, too, is costing a fortune.

Mike Mitchell, Spalding, England

I fail to understand the resistance to the introduction of ID cards. A uniform number under which all data is processed (passport, tax, driving license, National Insurance, health, etc) can only be advantageous in today's world. Do the great British public really fear their government so much? What burden can this introduce on law abiding citizens? Surely only the subversive have something to fear?

Paul, Riyadh, KSA

Everyone who enters the country, everyone who is born here and everyone who comes into contact with the police or claims benefits or wishes to vote should be made to go on a DNA database. This is the only surefire way of getting peoples identity. I am sure that handheld or very quick DNA profiling will be with us in a matter of a few years. It is a goldmine for whichever company gets their First.

Elwin parsley, london , UK

I already have a Passport, a Drivers Licence, a Birth Certificate, a Marriage Certificate, a National Insurance No, a National Health No, a Library Card, seveal Bank accounts, several Credit card, Membership No's for numerous societies, clubs and other organisations plus a security cleared ID for working in a defence company and have appeared on at least five census returns..
WHY, WHY, WHY do politicians and the Civil Service need to know anything more about me ??
If they cannot find me from all of the above, I really doubt their competence at anything.

LJS, Edinburgh, Scotland

There are a lot of other EU countries that already have ID cards, and I don't see the problem with them. But I do care if I have to pay a fortune for something that is compulsory.

"Democracy is a dead duck in this country"

Yup, and voting "strategically" for the Conservatives won't change a thing. Voting Lib Dem may be a better idea.

starling, Lancaster,

they may as well just put the bar code tattoo on our foreheads when we are born.

rob hingley, valencia, not in england

Because of criminals using guns, they were banned- But criminals still use them.
because knives were used by criminals, there are anti knife laws- But criminals still carry them.
Does any politician realy believe that making ID cards compulsory will stop illegal imigration, or criminals carrying out various criminal activities
I would even sugest that the only people to be affected by the introduction of ID cards will be law abiding citizens!

Hagar-T-H, Ockendon, Essex

When I first left school I did not drive and discovered that to prove my identity I had to use my birth certificate (a 19 years old piece of paper). Going to the post office and bank was a pain and the level of security a joke. In an age of ID thieft I welcome a reliable method to prove my ID. Currently banks and stores have to have their own ID cards sorry "fidelity / discount / bank cards etc". Who do you want holding your information? - a goverment that we control and hold resonsible through our votes or a supermarket that is responsible to only shareholders (if they take the time to look at anything other than the bottom line.)

Having lived in France where ID cards are common and held a carte de sejour I can only say they are very useful (especially when using cheques).

As for imigration, identity cards enable us to identity illegals if there are no cards then there is no way to prove who you are or are not. In such circumstance how can any be in control?

C. Dick, worthing, Sussex

Here, across the pond, the dolts who run the US Dept of Fatherland Sekurity are trying for a 'Universal Drivers License/National ID' card scheme. I wish them luck.

Mark, Seatle, WA USA

Government claims that ID cards will help to stamp out illegal immigration, organised crime, terrorism and social security fraud. The reality is that the introduction of ID cards will impose a burden upon millions of bona fide law abiding British subjects (i.e. the majority) whilst failing to tackle the underlying problem which is that, for whatever reason, the army of civil servants that we are employing and which, in the main, are answerable to the Home Office and the Department of Health & Social Security, are failing to discharge their function in a satisfactory way. Instead of concentrating upon improving the performance of the departments for which it alone is responsible, Government, as always, tries to shift the spotlight elsewhere, hence ID cards as the panacea for all the ills of the public sector.

Keith Standring, Bexhill-on-Sea, UK

You have to be in Government to instigate unpopular policy like thisand quite simly they will not be!

Meglomania rules!

However it is right that we put the "Times" down, finished our collective cups of tea, button up the waist coat and give Blair, Brown and the rest of the Lunatics a damned good thrashing at the Council elections in May. That might achieve the first goal of finally getting rid of Blair, Brown is in self destruct mode and Milliband will be wiped away. We can then settle down to watching the cricket in peace and without fear that our own government is working against us.

Seriously though never have I felt the air of revolution to be more prevelent in the country. Parliment needs to be brought to account and the politicians made to work in our favour not feathering their own nests.

Democracy is a dead duck in this country we need to rethink the strategy and devise another system that works. The Mother of All Parliments I fear is terminally ill.

Jimmy, York, England

Yes, some countries do insist that citizens carry ID, yes, they do have their uses, but what they represent is a relationship between the state and the individual which is essentially unBritish and contrary to all of our traditions. Britain is country governed by consent, not one in which the state should have the power to regulate the lives of its citizens, and an ID card system is basically a system for the regulation not only of criminal activity but also for thos going about their lawful business. We must get rid of this government, if not the only course will be active opposition.

The people who think that the British public will roll over an accept the impositition of a compulsory ID card system are underestimating their countrymen. I for one am quite willing to be arrested and jailed rather than carry one, if issued with one it is my firm intention to go to parliament square and burn it.

Gilman Grundy, Shenzhen/Brighton, China/UK

ID cards are another EU policy that the British government (regardless of whether it's NuLab or Tory) is being forced to present as its own idea. (Regionalization is another one.) This Soviet-type authoritarianism will continue in Britain until we get out of the EU.

Mark R, Oxford,

Maybe everyone has been blind to the possibility that the purpose of the ID cards may be for the good and security of the people and that the politicians and businesses behind such a scheme are truely honest and caring and compassionate...but NEVER forget that everytime any government in the past, no matter if it was the Nazi's or whoever, got into power and then proceeded to do inhuman deeds it was usually by the will of the people that trusted them in the first place and this gave them the chance to slip under the cover their true agenda. Simply put...reflecting back on the past track record of mankind, it is better to be cautious and paranoid than to be naive or trusting and eventually oppressed.

NEVER give up your freedom for if you do you never deserved it in the first place.

Ross, James, Canada

The British and the US Government are totally out of control. Massive revolt by Brits and Americans needs to start now.
British people already have it really bad with cameras everywhere you go....that's nuts. Tell those meatheads in government to stuff it!
The only thing these cards are good for is for tracking it's own citizens.

iam sublimating, Phx, Arizona USA

Unfortunately ladies and gentlemen both the U. S. and English governments have reached the point where letters and/or speaches will have any effect upon their path. The only thing that has any chance of returning these countries to a way of life that their citizens desire is the complete removal of their current governments. Unfortunately also they will not leave by being told to do so therefore that leaves but one method. I know not about the English but as for the Americans, we will be extremely hard pressed to find enough people with the backbone to do what has to be done.

John, Milwaukee, U.S.A.

Come on Brits! Fight this madness! You can bitch about it all you want but your government will trample you unless you stand up and say NO!

A Scot in Georgia, USA,

My best wishes are with anyone who chooses to stand against this travesty and it is my hope my countrymen and women be inspired to follow suit across the pond from you.

Over in the USA, we already have mandatory mental health screening of all 14 to 17 children (which Hitler implemented back in '39 and interestingly the German people demanded the law to be repealed in 1943 and won), 15+million illegal immigrants wanting taxpayer dollars without a willingness to pay into the pot...

and yet the other day the major headlines in the Chicago Tribune talked about thousands of teachers who recently had their personal information stolen from a laptop and that they will receive a years worth of credit monitoring. Yippee.

Mandatory ID cards will not reverse the illegal immigration flow. Mandatory ID cards will not identify who is likely to carry a gun and use it in an inappropriate manner.
Mandatory ID cards will not tell us who is prepared to strap explosives to their bodies.

Lizzie Lou Chambers, Springfield, United States of America

What an uplifting article!

I thought I might be alone in my belief that I ought to refuse to carry "papers" for production on demand to a state functionary who, with jobsworth relish, would exercise his or her right to stop me on a train or in the street and call for sight of an ID card. Clearly not, judging by the text and the response from readers. If NuLab gets in again, heaven help the poor unfortunate who gets the thankless job of enforcing the repulsive ID cards legislation... If that isn't a passport to political oblivion, it's difficult to imagine what would be

Roll on the Whitehall ID cards bonfire!

G Campbell, brighton,

It's simple really! Blair out. How many more failed promises needed?

Chris, Letchworth,

There is in all power a constant tendency to encroach. The checks, which are necessary to secure the liberty of the subject, will always in some degree embarass and delay the operations of the executive government. The members of this government feeling these inconveniences, while they are exerting themselves, as they conceive, in the service of their country, and conscious, perhaps, of no ill intention towards the people,