Alex Massie Alex Massie

The Great ID Card Con

Identity Cards would be a Bad Idea even if there were any reason to suppose they would work. So I’m intrigued by the suggestion Pete mentions that this multi-billion pound absurdity might be cancelled. Because of the state of the public finances of course. I doubt it will be abandoned since a) government value control even more than money and b) if it were, the government would presumably have to agree that ID cards won’t save lives. On the other hand – and from the Home Office’s perspective, looking upon the bright side of matters –  they would then be able to blame ID card opponents for the next terrorist attack. They might enjoy doing that, too. Not that this ministry would “play politics” with terrorism would it?

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