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?

I think they do yes.

There’s a lot of food waste too

It will have to be an offence not to carry one. Otherwise, what would the point be ?

As for non citizens, well they would be obliged to carry some form of accepted ID (like their passport that they used to enter the country, or their government issues in order for them to remain here. A sort of carte de sejour

We have them in the country I live in. It's really useful same id for healthcare, social services , travel etc

Prevents benefit fraud etc

A national insurance card is neither here nor there- I can stand in front of you and hand you Sarah jones national insurance NB 21 34 56 X and you have no way of knowing whether the person standing in front of you is Sarah jones.

for those who think it’s no big deal I’d love to know- say we have a mandatory photo ID, one that every citizen must have with an accompanying data base.

if Putin invaded tomorrow and GB was under Russian occupation would you be nonchalant, or MORE fearful that we already have a system of mandatory ID that the Russian army have access to?

because it would take about 3 days to set up the road blocks.

do people not consider how volatile the world is right now?

No doubt those saying everyone has a driving licence are the same people that want over 70s banned from driving

Like all this expats that come back to the U.K. for their free nhs treatment. Assume that’s who you mean …

I think a lot of folk are in denial it could happen here! It's all fine having ID cards until it isn't.

if Putin invaded tomorrow and GB was under Russian occupation would you be nonchalant, or MORE fearful that we already have a system of mandatory ID that the Russian army have access to?

The suggestion that people pushing for ID cards because they are supporting a Russian invasion is a really good way to stir up some fire in this debate. Remember how Farage was roasted for opposing the OSA ?

I think you might’ve tagged the wrong poster here?

We didn't take our passport out and about in Prague (would be scared I lost it) and I doubt many other tourists do. So don't see that UK would be different.

We had ID cards in the war.

Yes, I’m not doing anything wrong.

Okay, so they are unique in theory, just in practice admin errors happen. But really that kind of administration error could just as easily happen with any other form of ID, and quite likely do occur.

True.

You are not seriously comparing this. They were paper cards with no photo.
They didn’t even have computers.

how on earth does that compare to modern life with facial recognition, genetic testing, the internet, AI and multiple state tracking databases?!?

I have a citizen card. The Post Office - who issues them - refused to accept it as official ID when I was changing money. So they’re pretty useless.

Sadly, yes, ID cards are necessary to fight crime.

Why?

Well it would all depend on the enforcement regime wouldn't it ?

I suspect there are some people - maybe even posting here - who would like to see failing to provide an ID card when asked met with summary execution.

However on a serious note, having an ID card scheme is the underpinning of laws that allow the police (to begin with, and dog wardens at the end) to stop you (for no reason) in order to ask you to show your ID card. It would make no difference if they have a reason or not. And if you can't show a valid ID card, then what ? Locked up until you do ?

As I said, a lot of low energy thinking here.

All the police officers I knew growing up weren't keen on the idea. Mainly because once you have logged and recorded someones ID somewhere, it becomes an alibi elsewhere. And the very fact you have "a scheme" means you aren't allowed to question it (because otherwise, what was the point).

They much preferred what we have, which is a variety of ways to establish ID, all of which can be queried and checked and discrepancies noted.

They similarly didn't like the idea of being armed.

Exactly. Upping control on citizens isn’t the way to go, but it looks like people will happily ask for more.

As a poster above pointed out they haven’t been effective in doing so in any of the countries they have them.

plus, the definition of crime simply depends on who is making law.

Buttle/Tuttle

So countries that have ID cards have zero crime ?

Wow, every day is an education.

Yes, my BIL has been arrested numerous times for not having ID on him in Russia.

of course, he is carrying ID. But once that’s a crime and they want to arrest you what’s the point in that defence?

plus, the definition of crime simply depends on who is making law.

I think in all my years of MNetting (9 as other bands 😀) no one else has actually articulated that apart from me. Truly this is a wonderful day. 🙏