By Chiara Fiorillo,Michael Knowles,Simon Hamalienko
Copyright dailystar
More than 400,000 people have rallied behind a petition opposing Keir Starmer’s controversial proposals to bring in digital ID cards . Resistance to the scheme has intensified this evening as opponents raised alarm bells over privacy concerns and the risk of potential data breaches, despite recent surveys indicating most of the public back the introduction of national ID cards. A parliamentary e-petition has already attracted hundreds of thousands of signatures against the policy, with 50,000 people adding their support in just 40 minutes. The tally reached over 420,000 by late this evening – although questions remain over whether all signatories are legitimate, with House of Commons data revealing a number appeared to originate from overseas. The Prime Minister is expected to unveil plans for the so-called “Brit card” on Friday amid worries that the shadow economy is luring Channel migrants to attempt the perilous crossing in small boats, reports the Mirror . Reform’s Richard Tice slammed the proposal as futile, cautioning that the digital ID system will drain billions from public coffers and require years to roll out, according to the Express. He declared: “We know Governments are very bad at managing big IT projects. This will cost billions and billions of pounds and it’s bound to overrun and will achieve absolutely nothing. It will take years to introduce. It’s a disastrous idea.” Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, providing insight into the Government’s considerations, stated: “One of the things we are thinking about is whether we introduce digital ID. We think there is some merit in this. “We think they offer two benefits. One, is they will be able to make sure people are able to prove their right to be here, to work legally, very easily, which will then help us to deal with the illegal economy and stop people being undercut at work. “But we also think there might be big benefits for citizens. If you think about the way the NHS app has developed in recent years, and now you’re able to make GP appointments, and access your medical records, we think there may be benefits to the general population as well. “Beware of any politician who tells you that when it comes to getting control of immigration, there is one single solution.” It’s likely that ministers will need to introduce new legislation for the highly contentious scheme. Sir David expressed to the Daily Express: “It is an exercise in masquerading as something that will solve the problem. It won’t punish the people driving illegal migration. It will punish normal people. “In the past, my fears over an Orwellian state have been mostly prevented by their own incompetence. That sort of comfort disappears with AI. AI will be able to read all the data – what it can’t do now, it will be able to do in a couple of years.” Sir David has cautioned that public opinion could rapidly turn against the Government if they mismanage citizens’ data, particularly amongst those who initially backed the scheme to tackle illegal immigration. The proposed framework would mandate that anyone beginning employment must produce a digital ID card, allowing authorities to verify the person against a central database of individuals authorised to work in the UK. It’s understood that landlords would similarly be empowered to confirm someone’s immigration status. The Labour leader is said to have reconsidered his position on the proposals following pressure from prominent figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron. However, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick declared: “Starmer will try literally anything other than fixing the route of our problems: our broken legal system that stops us deporting illegal migrants. Most employers who are employing individuals illegally are doing so knowingly. “They are doing so dishonestly. Merely asking those employers to check ID cards rather than the current checks that they are already obliged to do is not going to make a blind bit of difference.” Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch remarked: “This announcement is a desperate gimmick that will do nothing to stop the boats. There are arguments for and against digital ID, but mandating its use would be a very serious step that requires a proper national debate.” Tom Pursglove, the former Home Office minister, lambasted the proposal as “a new low” for Labour. A representative from Reform UK characterised the plans as “a cynical ploy to fool voters that something is being done about illegal immigration.” For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .
