ID cards face resistance

Monday, 7 February 2005 12:00 AM

The Government could face resistance to its plans for ID cards from more than 100 Labour and Conservative MPs this week.

While the legislation has the support of the Cabinet and most of their shadow colleagues, a body of 100 backbenchers on both sides of the House of Commons are expected to join the Liberal Democrats in voting against the initiative.

Some 40 Tories and 63 Labour MPs are thought to oppose ID cards.

Phil Booth, National Co-ordinator of the pressure group No2ID, said his group had targeted the MPs who are on the record opposing ID cards.

Opposition to the bill is also likely to come from the House of Lords.

Conservative leader Michael Howard, who backed the bill in December, this weekend was reported to be wavering, arguing the Government had not set aside sufficient time for the bill to be debated in the Commons.

He is also reportedly of the view that the bill failed the 'five tests' proffered by his party as a condition of their support.

Former Tory Cabinet ministers, John Redwood and Peter Lilley, both have voiced opposition to ID cards.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said the Government must explain what the ID cards were for.

"The Government has still not said what it really thinks ID cards are for. Are they for terrorism, are they for illegal immigration, are they for welfare fraud, whatever?" he said.

"What really are we trying to achieve with this?"

And the Tory whip may yet call on MPs to abstain in the vote on Thursday.

Meanwhile, new chief police commissioner, Ian Blair, backed ID cards on Sunday saying they would help fight crime and terrorism.

Sir Ian said the technology was reliable enough to warrant a speedy roll-out.

"The technology has got better and so if we are really into iris recognition, which I think we are, as far as I can see that appears to be technologically unforgeable," he said.

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