Boris Johnson gives his latest thoughts on ID cards over at the Telegraph.
As he points out:
"Worse than the cost and the bother, however, there is the sheer dishonesty of the arguments in favour. If I understood Her Majesty correctly, her Government conceives of these cards as essential weapons in the "war" on terror.
But the maniacs who performed the 9/11 massacre would not have been prevented by ID cards: the problem was not their identities, but their intentions. And if a terrorist really needed a new ID card, it would probably not take long to procure a forgery, biometric or not. "
He also makes a valid point about cost – £85 each for the privilege. This is a tax by any other name.
The most worrying point he makes and it is one I’ve noticed myself, is the way that the British people seem so willing to trade their freedoms for a mirage of increased security.
This quote is oft used in these circumstances, but I guess people still need to be reminded.
"They that would give up essential liberty for temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Benjamin Franklin
This story is also covered over at White Rose Blog
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