STRATFORD MP Manuela Perteghella is saying “no” to mandatory digital ID cards.
Prime minister Keir Starmer has announced that free digital ID cards will be rolled out for those living in the UK.
But for the Liberal Democrat party, this latest move raises serious questions about people’s right to a private life.
Dr Perteghella is particularly concerned as a former Italian citizen who has experienced state ID firsthand.
She told the Observer: “People should not be forced to turn over their private data just to go about their daily lives. Mandatory digital ID will require people to do just that.
“Furthermore, people shouldn’t be turned into criminals just because they can’t have a digital ID or choose not to. This will be especially worrying to millions of older people, people living in poverty and disabled people – who are more likely to be digitally excluded.
“It is estimated that around 4.5 million people don’t own a smartphone. We are hurtling towards a future where people will be completely excluded from government service and public life if they don’t have a smartphone.
“As for stopping the boats, Italy has had ID cards for decades, and that hasn’t made any impact on dangerous sea crossings.”
Responding to Mr Starmer’s speech at the Global Progress Action Summit, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: “Keir Starmer seems determined to lead a government of gimmicks – that just adds to our tax bills and bureaucracy, while doing next to nothing to tackle channel crossings.
“Imagine if the government devoted this much money and focus on getting GP waiting times down, or fixing social care, instead of pursuing the Labour party’s decades long obsession with ID cards and more state control.
“It is nonsensical, and the Liberal Democrats will fight against it tooth and nail – just as we successfully did against Tony Blair’s ID cards.”
