Identity Cards: yes or no?

I think it would be good for people that can't have a driving license, or afford a passport. And it should be voluntary.
But I would be against it being law to have them on your person at all times. That is crossing a line, to me.

ID cards would make it so much easier for the police - law abiding citizens have nothing to fear. In my view they should be provided for free - unlike passports so everyone has one. I would also help with regard to illegal immigration as those people who were not here legally would not have an ID card.

Why would anyone who has nothing to hide from the authorities prefer not to hold an official proof of identity?

Lots of very sensible reasons that have mostly been vindicated by history. I don’t know. I was vehemently opposed to ID cards when the Blair government tried to introduce them. Ideologically, I still am. But the world has changed, and I think they might be the only practical way to deal with the threats we face now- both in the physical world from terrorism, and online from fraud, child exploitation and so on. The main thing that worries me about them now is the risk of the government fucking it up and making things like identity theft even easier, whilst simultaneously making it harder to recover from.

I don't live in the uk. We have to carry compulsory id cards. Its really not an issue

The cost of a passport in the UK is a disgrace.

Australian passports make them seem like a bargain.

have not RTFT. One of the main functions of Government ID in the countries that have it, is to show who you are and where you live. Other forms of photo id don't generally do that, or are easy to get fake/fraudulent ones.

It would make a lot of things much easier. My german friends in the UK are aghast at the idiotic (to them) forms of "ID" needed to open a bank accout. An ID card does the ob.

Having had an offspring recently have to prove identity without having a passport or bills etc and found it a right pain I'd welcome anything that made it more straight forward. Plus it would be something everyone could use at the polling station.

But only if it is free. I don't think those on lower incomes should have to pay to make the government's life easier.

Hope you’re being sarcastic. Hard to tell.

I live in a European country with ID cards and also have another ID card from South America. To be fair, I was sceptical to begin with, but now I understand it. It makes accessing services very straightforward and the system works well. In terms of cost, it's far better value than the UK! €25 for a passport (same day) and €10 for the ID card. The cost of a passport in the UK is a disgrace.

In theory that would work, but I fear all those databases are not nearly as advanced as one might expect. They certainly haven't been in my experience.

The barrier isn't the technology, it is the will to make it happen.

It’s a yes from me, I’ve lived in another European country and I had an identity number. Everything was linked to this number, you needed it to work and to get routine medical treatments etc. I once went to get an injection but because I’d finished work the following week I was not allowed to have it.
The French politician is correct.

Not sure that all the different departments would need to collaborate at all. I'm pretty sure we've moved away from the idea of having all the databases integrated with each other and mountains of data on the card itself.

Basically, all it needs is to prove identity, i.e. basic details of the person, such as photo, and preferably other biometric data, maybe face recognition as extra proof. It would hold limited data, such as your NiNo, NHS number, passport number/driving licence number (if applicable), nationality, residence status, etc.

Officials wanting to access data, could swipe/scan the card for the basic ID data and interrogate their own database only in accordance with their access permissions.

I.e. a paramedic or doctor could scan the card to get NHS number and then read the data via whatever NHS database holds it.

Police could scan/read the card to interrogate the PNC, criminal records, driving licence, etc.

Border force officials could read/scan the card to check right to work in the UK, visa status, etc from their own database.

I think we've long moved on from the initial ideas of having your entire medical history or criminal record ON the card itself.

So many places don't accept the Proof of Age card. I ended up getting a passport (as I can't get a driving licence) just for ID.

I'm not so sure they do in fact 'work very well' in other countries -- perhaps we should ask a young Frenchman of North African origin his opinions on them?
Brcause, let's face it, it's not going to be generally white, middle class British women of a certain age who will routinely be asked to produce them, is it?

Of course we should have them. Trouble is, the issue has become some sort of sacred cow, like the NHS being free at the point of use. ‘We can’t do it, because we never have’ (except in wartime) - despite the fact that they work very well in so many other countries.

I don't have any problem with universal ID cards but accept that the majority are never going to agree to them. However. I think it would be an extremely good idea if there was an optional (and preferably free or very low cost) ID card for those who don't want/can't afford/aren't eligible for a driving licence or passport. I know there is a Proof of Age card but that seems a ridiculous thing for someone over the age of about 30 to have to get.

France and Austria seem to manage just fine with ID cards, without everybody getting up in arms about it.

I have zero problem with identity cards. Other countries have them so really cannot see an issue with us having them. Also, for those whom don't have a passport or driving licence, it will be a godsend, particularly for things like voting.

Never understood the fuss some make about this topic. It's a non-topic.

Edited for typo 🙄