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 imagine Wayne Couzens would have loved ID cards. Imagine how much easier his crimes would have been.

If you don't know how it works in other countries why do you so easily jump to the worst of scenarios?

Having lived in two other European countries with compulsory ID cards I can tell you it just makes life easier for citizens and public services. No more, no less. We weren't being tracked or our movements followed (how would that even work? But I can tell you what's good for tracking movement: CCTV all over the place as already exists in the UK). I think looking at how the state handles ID cards and linked up services in our European peers is more relevant than what they do in Russia or China.

Because they’re not introducing it in 2025. It’s not comparable.

Tracking through ID cards is easy if you need them to access services

Also still interested to know how people who are in favour or want to be like the Belgians feel about the Russian army having full instant access to every citizens photos and potentially bio markers / finger prints.

they’re not introducing it in 2025

Well that bit makes sense.

I know how it works in other European countries. I have European relatives. Still don’t want them here.

Whose to say they haven't ? I mean UK data security is hardly robust.

You can't have it both ways: wanting to live off radar and have access to the services the state provides.

They haven’t what?

What state services?

Why not put a chip under our skin.

Yes, unequivocally.

This I could get on board with
No more having to carry money, cards and/or phone everywhere
Want to carry less not more

Maybe less relevant here than EU countries perhaps, but I believe EU citizens, at least in Schengen countries, can travel on their ID cards which the respective states provide. No need to pay for a passport should you not wish to and if you don't drive, you've got photo ID.

I see no problem in having an ID card - it would be pretty much like the photo driving licence.

Post your bank account details on here then . . .

I work in the organised crime field .. are people so stupid as not to realise WHY immigrants want to come to the UK ? For this simple reason.. no ID cards !! Why on EARTH would they prefer to be here and not in the 4 countries (all signatories to the ECHR) other than the fact that once here they can disappear…

I have a Drivers Licence and a Passport which prove my identity, citizenship and address

An identity card would be surplus to my requirements.

Every UK initiative on compulsory ID cards has failed because:

• the vast majority of the population do not need them
• in many parts of the country the requirement to produce one would generate a hostile response (eg Northern Ireland)
• like other secure documents they would be expensive to produce and the cost would have to be met by the holder: so they become a tax.
• they need regular updating and failure to do so means a whole section of the population is criminalised.

Lots of illegal migrants in Germany,France and Belgium all of which have compulsory ID cards.

Why?

I have an ID card and I use it like a passport.
I have to register my address, I don't feel I am being constantly watched.It's much easier than carrying a big passport around.
Also uk must have had had ID cards at some point in the past as I found some in my relatives old papers I think dating from pre 2nd world war.
Would be interested to know?

Healthcare, education, social security, etc. That's what ID national cards are used for in European countries: to prove you're a resident/citizen and so are eligible for the taxpayer-funded services the state provides. We already have to do this here in the UK, it's just harder to do it as you need to get several different numbers and cards.

But as you've mentioned a Russian invasion as a reason not to have ID cards I don't think you're engaging with this debate on reasonable terms so we'll hardly change each other's opinion.

Many other countries have them as well as passports and driving licences. We could maybe learn from other countries?

We had a facial recognition van down the end of our High St last week. Add compulsory carry ID cards being mooted.

I do not trust any of it. We are in a country that produced a system that outed Afgan translators, in the past outed police informants, earlier this year serious data breaches concerning the names and addresses of police officers and civilian staff in NIreland. I could go on. This is under governments which have been relatively moderate, though lacking IT competence. Imagine the potential under a "nasty" power.

“Why on EARTH would they prefer to be here and not in the 4 countries”

what 4 countries?

Not mandatory, no.

I'd make it mandatory to have either a passport or a driving licence or an ID card by the age of 18, which amounts to the same thing, but avoids duplication and wasting money.

All should require the same level of verification.