Swindon Borough Council tonight passed a motion opposing the government's ID cards bill. It was supported by most of the majority conservative group and the lib dems, and opposed by about half of the dwindling labour group. Full report to follow....
Motion - National Identity Card
Councillor Peter Greenhalgh will move and Councillor Chris Van Roon will second:
"This Council notes that the Home Secretary is currently attempting to push an Identity (ID) card bill through Parliament. This Bill will have an effect upon all the people of Swindon. This Council believes:
1) That the proposed scheme will impose costs on the Council itself in terms of ensuring compatibility of operations.
2) That the Home Secretary when asked whether ID cards would have prevented the most recent terrorist atrocities said, "I doubt it would have made a difference"
3) That the government has reported that the scheme will cost £93 per person.
4) That the London School of Economics estimated the cost of cards could be as high as £20 billion – three times government estimates. The LSE put the lowest cost to each individual at £170.
5) That the government’s own Information Commissioner stated that, "The measures in the Bill go well beyond establishing a secure, reliable and trustworthy ID card. The measures in relation to the National Identity Register and data trail of identity checks on individuals risk an unnecessary and disproportionate intrusion into an individual’s privacy."
6) That the ID card and database proposals will fundamentally alter the relationship between the state and the individual.
This Council resolves to:
1) Take no part in any pilot scheme or feasibility work in relation to the introduction of the national identity cards, based upon current Government proposals for such a scheme, or unless specifically required to by law.
2) Make it a policy of the Council to ensure that national identity cards will not be required to access Council services or benefits unless specifically required to do so by law.
3) Oppose the introduction of national identity cards and will write to the Home secretary to inform him of Council policy.
4) Affiliate to the No2ID campaign (www.no2id.net), alongside other local authorities including Cambridge City, Watford Borough, West Berkshire and the City of York."
Councillor Peter Greenhalgh will move and Councillor Chris Van Roon will second:
"This Council notes that the Home Secretary is currently attempting to push an Identity (ID) card bill through Parliament. This Bill will have an effect upon all the people of Swindon. This Council believes:
1) That the proposed scheme will impose costs on the Council itself in terms of ensuring compatibility of operations.
2) That the Home Secretary when asked whether ID cards would have prevented the most recent terrorist atrocities said, "I doubt it would have made a difference"
3) That the government has reported that the scheme will cost £93 per person.
4) That the London School of Economics estimated the cost of cards could be as high as £20 billion – three times government estimates. The LSE put the lowest cost to each individual at £170.
5) That the government’s own Information Commissioner stated that, "The measures in the Bill go well beyond establishing a secure, reliable and trustworthy ID card. The measures in relation to the National Identity Register and data trail of identity checks on individuals risk an unnecessary and disproportionate intrusion into an individual’s privacy."
6) That the ID card and database proposals will fundamentally alter the relationship between the state and the individual.
This Council resolves to:
1) Take no part in any pilot scheme or feasibility work in relation to the introduction of the national identity cards, based upon current Government proposals for such a scheme, or unless specifically required to by law.
2) Make it a policy of the Council to ensure that national identity cards will not be required to access Council services or benefits unless specifically required to do so by law.
3) Oppose the introduction of national identity cards and will write to the Home secretary to inform him of Council policy.
4) Affiliate to the No2ID campaign (www.no2id.net), alongside other local authorities including Cambridge City, Watford Borough, West Berkshire and the City of York."
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