June 29, 2005

MPs force ID cards rethink

by brian_turner

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Prime Minister Tony Blair said that he will listen to concerns about plans for identity cards after his Commons majority was reduced from 67 to 31 on the issue.

Twenty Labour MPs rejected the ID card plans on Tuesday night. Senior MPs advise that changes will be needed to get the plans through Parliament.

The vote on ID cards was the first proper test of a key policy area in the Commons since Labour was returned on a reduced majority. The bill secured a second reading by 314 votes to 283.

Mr Blair advised critics to recognise that secure ID cards could benefit citizens by helping to combat organised crime, terrorism and illegal immigration. Much of the work towards the ID card system will be necessary for biometric passports being taken up by other countries.

Charles Kennedy, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said that many part of the plan gave cause for concern.

John Denham, chairman of the Commons home affairs select committee in the last Parliament, said he thought that the government would have to make a number of changes to be sure of getting the bill through. He said the aims of the ID card needed to be more clearly defined and there should be greater controls over access to the information by police and other authorities.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke said ID cards would help counter, not create, a “big brother society”.

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