Tories back down on ID cards and Labour MP breaks manifesto pledge (Andrew Simpson)

Tories back down on ID cards and Labour MP breaks manifesto pledge

March 30, 2006 9:21 PM

Conservative MP for Northampton South Brian Binley has been accused of caving in to the Government over the introduction of identity cards.

Following the passage into law of the Identity Cards Bill yesterday, Andrew Simpson, Liberal Democrat campaigner said:

"I am deeply disappointed that local Conservative MP Brian Binley did not have the courage to join the Liberal Democrats in last night's vote to prevent the Government introducing compulsory ID cards before the next general election.

"Brian Binley and his Conservative colleagues have completely let the Government off the hook over ID cards.

"At the general election Labour made a manifesto pledge to introduce voluntary identity cards. But the Bill the Conservatives allowed through last night introduces compulsory ID cards by the back door by forcing anyone getting a new passport to have an ID card too. So the only way in which people will be able to opt out of having an ID card is by giving up their right to travel abroad, which is an outrageous thing to demand. Labour's Northampton North MP Sally Keeble MP also was happy to vote for a bill contrary to Labour's pledge at the election.

"Until yesterday the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were working together to ensure that no-one would be forced to have an ID card until after the last possible date for the next general election - so any party wanting to make ID cards compulsory would need a general election mandate to do so.

"We had a real opportunity to guarantee a real debate and a general election before anyone was forced to have an ID card. That is why I am so disappointed that Brian Binley and most of his Conservative colleagues backed down and caved in to the Government over this when it came to the crunch."

"So much for the Conservative Party's new found liberalism."

Notes to Editors

1) Labour's 2005 general election manifesto said: "We will introduce ID cards, including biometric data like fingerprints, backed up by a national register and rolling out initially on a voluntary basis as people renew their passports."

2) The March 29th vote means that (a) Identity cards will be compulsory for anyone getting a new or renewed passport on or after January 1st 2010 - which means that we could well have compulsory (in effect) ID cards ahead of the next general election, which need not happen until May 2010; and (b) People who apply for new or renewed passports before January 1st 2010 will have their names and details put on the new national identity register (although they will not be forced to have an ID card). It is not certain yet when this will apply from as the Government have not said when the national identity register will be in place.

3) The Liberal Democrats' case against ID cards can be read on the party website at http://www.libdems.org.uk/justice/issues/idcards.html.