Labour MP breaks Manifesto Commitment over ID Cards

2.35.42pm GMT Sun 19th Feb 2006

Labour break Manifesto over ID Cards

Steve Sollitt, Liberal Democrat Campaigner for Southampton Test has accused Dr Alan Whitehead, the Labour MP for our area, of breaking a manifesto commitment by voting to make identity cards compulsory for anybody applying for a passport.

"Dr Whitehead was elected last May on a manifesto pledge to introduce voluntary identity cards. Now he has broken that pledge.

"The only way in which people will be able to opt out of the system is by giving up their right to travel abroad."

"The Government's ID cards plans are now completely discredited. They will not help to fight crime or terrorism. The terrorists who attacked New York in Sept. 2001, Madrid in March 2004 and London in July 2005 all carried valid identity documents. Nor will they help tackle most illegal working and benefit fraud. Employers in industries with high levels of illegal labour are already required to check identity documents.

"But they are a dangerous threat to our liberties. A detailed picture of our daily lives will be created on a huge central register and our personal data will be shared without our consent.

"ID cards are an expensive way of achieving very little. The Government should abandon their plans and use the savings to put 10,000 more police on the streets. This will be more effective in tackling crime and the terrorist threat."

The Liberal Democrats have pledged to continue the fight against compulsory ID cards when the Bill returns to the House of Lords.