A large group of UK-based rights organisations, including EDRI-member FIPR and Privacy International, has launched a formal e-petition against governmental plans to introduce ID-cards. The petition (open to UK residents only) closes at 19 November, timed to precede the speech of the Queen on 23 November 2004. Almost 1.000 individuals have endorsed the petition, that calls on the Prime Minister and the government to immediately cease all further development of, and legislation for, national identity cards and the National Identity Register.

The petition says: "We believe the proposals constitute an attack on individual rights and freedoms. We believe they will lead to institutional discrimination and to unfair and unlawful denial of benefits and services. We believe the proposals will lead to an increase in state control and surveillance over the individual, and that they will create an unacceptable imposition on every citizen."

Popular support for ID-cards is rapidly dropping. According to statistics from the Home Office, this summer only 31% of the public was in favour, but a considerably higher 48% was against. This won't stop the government from introducing it rapidly, in the Queen's speech. Mark Littlewood, National Co-ordinator of the NO2ID coalition, says: "Rumour has it that Tony Blair and David Blunkett will try to slip their ID card proposal in through the back door by losing it in the detail of anti-crime, anti-terrorist legislation."

Petition against ID-card
http://www.no2id-petition.net

Home office statistics (page 12, October 2004)
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs3/id_summary_doc_3.pdf

Analysis Privacy International 'UK ID Card moving forward despite significant opposition' (27.10.2004)
http://www.privacyinternational.org/article.shtml?cmd³³0³=x-347-79542&...