I have 2 problems with this identity card plan. Obviously the government can’t keep data secure, which is a worry. Also, we have national insurance cards, passports, and driving licenses. Why can’t we integrate all of this into a single card system instead of having multiple that duplicate a lot of each others’ data anyway?

Think about it. Everyone gets an NI card with a chip built in. People coming to live here from other countries also get a card, but maybe have to put their fingerprint detail on the chip as soon as they arrive instead. For the rest of us, when we want a passport or driving license we go to the post office with our paperwork, have our prints scanned, and send the card off for a replacement with our picture and a copy of our first card’s details (NI is the only database everyone is in anyway). You may have to pay a fee, but we do for a license or passport anyway. When you get your card upgraded in future (e.g. someone with a passport passes their driving test), the fee is lower because its an update of data not a new card being created. Yes, we have to pay for scanners etc through taxes. But integrating data and using existing data storage must be cheaper than buying all new storage for yet another load of personal information. And it’s a system that makes more sense and is less of a hassle. Incidently, stick a portable fingerprint scanner in police cars that checks against the system. If you need to be fingerprinted to get a licence, you can’t give false details or fail to produce your documents or find you have to prove you are in the country legally. 30 seconds after being pulled over the police know who you are and can deal with you straight away. Just as long as the database isn’t hacked!

Well. Who’s up for the challenge?
Gather all available personal info on the Home Secretary, and lose it in a public place.

Let’s see her try to regain control of her personal information (without the privileges of an MP /& without police or the security services).

Perhaps then she’ll understand what the rest of us are concerned about.

Bye Bye New Labour, do not forget to take all your Hitler Manuals when you leave.

Errmmm, I don’t want one. I’ve no interest in it whatsoever. However, I’ll bet that government ministers are exempt.

Here’s a plan. Let’s find out everything possible about Ms Smith, then send her a nice text message (or thousand) expressing that view.

Oh dear. I must be a terrorist. These people are under my employ. They serve me. If I want them to clean my shoes they will, and like it. The obvious solution of course is to demand an election.

I have just been reading articles from across the pond that student ID cards will help prevent students enrolling at bogus colleges and thus gaining illicit access. Except that if you can get a visa you can get an ID card. The solution is to tighten up on the issuing of visas; the ID card is entirely pointless in this respect. It has also been claimed that an ID card will help in getting a bank account and credit card in the UK. The reason banks are reluctant to issue credit cards to non-residents is not that they cannot be sure you are who you say you are. Except for regulatory purposed they could not care a damn if you called yourself Mickey Mouse, they only care that you will not skip the country. An ID card will be entirely pointless in this respect also. Come to think of it I cannot see any point in the project at all. I think Jacqui Smith must be trying to out do Tony Blair and his Weapons Of Mass Destruction load of balls.