Would you support mandatory identity cards in the UK?

[Dbank]

Non-mandatory cards have been attempted multiple times and failed to be adopted, do you think now is the time to make them mandatory?

Because you've not thought about it, that's why,

You can only be prosecuted for benefit fraud (to use the example you plucked from thin air) if you are claiming benefits. If you aren't then you can't be prosecuted (well, not yet). So that isn't every single adult in the UK.

But for a law requiring you to carry an ID card and that treats your "losing" one as a criminal offence, that's a lot more people - every single adult in the UK.

We're gonna need bigger prisons.

Does that make sense now ?

Thanks for the patronising response! As it happens I’m not particularly in favour of it but I can see why some are. And what you’re saying isn’t making much sense in my opinion. We already need bigger prisons. Every single adult in the UK could commit a criminal offence at any point and the way certain behaviours like protesting are being criminalised at the moment your point is moot.

I don’t want one at all.

But I do think that perhaps when they brought in voter ID for example that that could also become universally accepted for ID purposes.

Having said that I don’t agree with voter ID anyway.

I want an official photo ID card so I can do things like rent somewhere to live, open a bank account, get married, get a job, collect a parcel from the Post Office..... basically anything that asks to see photo ID.
At present my choices are passport or provisional drivers license.
I justndon't see why there can't be a card sized version of a passport for those that don't actually need a passport.
It shouldn't be compulsory - but it would be bloody useful to have and would make my life easier at times.

@Pinkfluffypencilcase do you have any official photo ID?
What do you use if you need ID for something like renting a home?

Not being provocative but can you explain why you’ve posted this? I can’t work out what it’s supposed to be adding to the discussion?

all I can think is you’re pointing out the British government can track you if they have reason (and in some cases legal authorisation) to - crime, national security etc. but that’s so obvious you must be saying something else, I’m sure?

My Italian ID card cost a whole 5.65 Euros a few days ago.

Passport
driving licence

The usual.

A provisional license would work for that.

I dont have official photo ID. In the last 12 months ive managed to collect a parcel, open a bank account and get a job including DBS check. It's all more complicated, but possible.

When I get my first pay from the new job I'm treating myself to a provisional.

So if you have those why don't you understand that some people want basically the same thing as a passport but in a convenient credit card size card they can stick in their wallet?

I do understand that.

What I don’t agree with is that everyone else has to have one too. This is what the post is about. MANDATORY ID cards.

Yeah it's possible (been there, done that) but it's a pain in the bum sometimes.
I'm definitely going to look into getting a provisional license.

Yes.... I DON'T think they should be mandatory.
Definitely not.
But available for those that want them would be bloody useful.

Because they can already get a provisional licence

Captive market, though. And obviously a private contractor responsible for the implementation.

Basic GCSE Economics. If somebody desperately needs it because it's a legal requirement, there's no possible incentive to make it less than the cost of a passport - after all, the validation requirements would also need to be comparable, photo verified by a specific group, providing birth certificates, other ID, rental agreements, mortgage statements, etc, etc.

Naturally, there will also be people unable to satisfy the evidential requirements as well as not being able to afford it.

Absolutely should be a thing. They should also be free of charge as the technology is there now.

When we were buying a house the forms of ID the solicitor, estate agent etc were happy to accept included a bank statement, utility bill or similar showing our names and current address, that's all. (We had already given our names and address when we started house hunting and signed up with an EA. Viewing paper bills corroborated it. Not kept or photocopied, a note was made that the info was verified. )

Yes but I didn't realise I could get one as the DVLA says you need photo ID which I don't have.
(I now know there's ways around this).
But if someone is a non driver and has nothing to do with driving in their life it might not even cross their mind to think of a driving license as a thing to have.

yes it is is obvious, so not quite sure why you said they can’t?!

to quote your post:

“…..we are already carrying around tracking devices- everything from our smartphones to our Google accounts to our Tesco club card.

my point was the government can’t track me through any of those existing, non mandatory, methods.”

I was simply pointing out that they can track you through those non-mandatory methods.

yes I think everyone is aware that is possible.

Yes ,didn't use to but think they are essential now.

The problem with driving licences which are a cheaper option is they are not open to everyone, for example if your eyesight isn't ok you can't have one and other medical reasons, these people have to get an expensive passport even if never travelling abroad and it is quite bulky to carry around.

Why? For what purpose?

A provisional licence carries medical requirements that some people will not be able to satisfy. If they are to be used as ID, you'd need a new category of "non driver" drivers licence. (I believe some US states have such a thing, so it's not as whacky as it stands).

However, this is Brtiain for Gods sake ? We are unique ! We are special !! We are exceptional !!! And as such it simply will not do to make a small tweak to an existing system that works perfectly well at the minimum possible cost.

THAT IS NOT HOW WE DO THINGS IN THIS COUNTRY.

We have to have a complex, impenetrable, eye wateringly costly system that takes decades to deliver, never quite works, and that all my mates can make a fucking fortune from by inflating the costs when the inevitable public tenders fly.

We are the country that gave the world HS2 and UC. And we want to keep those testaments to how really crap we can be at the big things.