Westminster Report

BY Rt Hon Mark Francois, Member of Parliament for Rayleigh and Wickford.
MAKING plain my opposition to mandatory digital ID cards.
Many constituents have contacted me recently to express their concerns about the Labour Government’s plans for mandatory digital ID cards. I share those concerns entirely. As I made clear in the House of Commons recently, I oppose this proposal as a matter of principle – it is intrusive, unnecessary, and risks undermining the freedoms we all value.
Indeed, during a recent debate on this very issue, I challenged the Science Secretary, Liz Kendall MP, directly over the Government’s plans.
In my question I said the following: “I am completely opposed to digital ID cards as a matter of principle. The proposal was not in the Labour Party manifesto, and the Government have no mandate for it. It is basically a multibillion-pound gimmick to try to address the fact that small boat arrivals are up a third since they came to power, and they have not got the faintest clue how to stop them.
“I have two very specific questions to ask of the Secretary of State.
“First, how much—even as a ballpark figure—will it cost to bring in this system?
“Secondly, if it is to be mandatory, which would be completely wrong, what would be the penalty for a citizen who refuses on principle to have digital ID?”
Unfortunately, the Secretary of State, Liz Kendall, refused to answer either of these questions and replied only: “I do not know why the right hon. Gentleman thinks that people should not be required to prove that they have the right to work in this country.
“ It seems a very reasonable thing to do. Some 92% of people over 16 have a phone, and as I said in answer to a previous question, we are consulting on how we will design and develop this whole programme. Further details about costings will come out in due course.”
The Government’s case was weak and at times even contradictory. Liz Kendall repeatedly failed to give MPs even any ballpark estimates of how many billions this system would cost- or what the penalties would be for any citizen who refused to have one, on principle. Even a large number of Labour backbenchers expressed doubts about the Government’s proposals.
There will now be a consultation on the Government’s plans in several months’ time but, based on the initial reaction in the House, the idea already seems to be waning in support and gaining many staunch opponents- including me.
The Prime Minister’s proposal for a mandatory national digital ID is, in my view, a cynical gimmick to distract from the Government’s disastrous handling of illegal immigration. Keir Starmer wants us to believe that a mandatory digital ID card will solve his migration mess. It will not.
The Channel crossings will continue until he introduces a proper deterrent, stops pretending his so-called “Smash the Gangs” plan is working, and starts taking on the lawfare industry, of which he used to be a part.
In conclusion, mandatory digital ID would be expensive, carry considerable security risks, and would permanently alter the balance of power between the individual and the state.
Let me be clear: my colleagues and I on the Conservative benches will be opposing this policy at every stage and directly challenging the Government on it in Parliament.
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