Labour steps back in push for ID cards (UK)

Labour steps back in push for ID cards

Benefits were oversold and legislation is flawed, admits minister

Alan Travis, home affairs editor
Thursday August 4, 2005
The Guardian

The government has admitted that it has been guilty of "overselling"
the case for a compulsory national identity card scheme in Britain and
conceded that it will not prove a panacea for fraud, terrorism or the
abuse of public services.

Tony McNulty, the Home Office minister now responsible for identity
cards, has also admitted that "in its enthusiasm" the government also
mistakenly emphasised the benefits to the state rather than arguing
its benefits to the individual citizen.

His comments mark a significant change in gear in the Home Office
approach under home secretary Charles Clarke to the national ID card
scheme and contrasts sharply with the far more enthusiastic, almost
"cheerleading" tone adopted by his predecessor David Blunkett.
The legislation for the scheme is now going through parliament.

The switch follows support for ID cards nosediving in the polls
in the face of speculation about the possible cost of each card.