North West Norfolk MP says ID should be ‘choice and control’ not mandatory

In his regular Your Local Paper column, MP James Wild looks at the implications of introducing mandatory ID…

Just before Labour’s party conference, the Prime Minister made a rather desperate attempt to move the focus away from his failing leadership. As others openly pitch for his job, he announced plans for mandatory digital ID by the end of this Parliament

Introducing mandatory ID requirements would fundamentally change the relationship between citizens and the state.

The Conservative Party opposes mandatory ID requirements - our approach is that people should how more choice and control over who sees their data and how identity is proved rather than a new blanket requirement being imposed.

It is a sign of the hostility to this policy that getting on for two million people signed a petition opposing mandatory digital ID in the hours after it was announced.

The Prime Minister’s justification was this step was needed to tackle illegal migration by requiring a digital ID to work.

Given the importance of protecting our border that would be commendable if true - but in reality it isn't.

Employers are already required to check someone’s status to work through production of a passport or other documents - or checking e-visas - and face heavy fines if they fail to. Implementing a new system will take years anyway when the boats are arriving now.

Such a major change would normally be accompanied by detailed policy work and legislation given concerns over security as well as cost.

The fact that all that was published was a two-page press release underlines how rushed this announcement was.

Rather than forcing people to have digital ID, a better approach is to build trust and confidence in digital methods of proving identity and verification.

Like others I get frustrated with proving ID and use services, with HMRC, for example, which make it faster and simpler to access government services.

Similarly, online banking and digital ID is more convenient for many than visiting a branch. But having a choice matters.

In government we explicitly ruled out the approach Labour is adopting to make the use of digital identities compulsory. Obviously Labour did not include this in their manifesto.

This issue is similar to the debate about using cash. While it may be easier if everyone used digital payments, many people prefer to use cash and banning it outright would be disproportionate.

Talking about money, it seems the government is gearing up for taking more of everyone’s in the upcoming Budget.

It was telling that the Prime Minister has refused to rule out breaking his manifesto commitments not to increase income tax, VAT, or national insurance.

And the Chancellor is trying desperately to blame others when the Bank of England and other independent groups point to her hike in employer national insurance as having hit employment and led to higher prices.

Instead of increasing taxes, which lead to lower growth, borrowing more, increasing the debt, it is time to break out of this doom loop.

That means living within our means as a country. Controlling spending and dealing with a ballooning welfare bill. But rather than do that ministers are apparently pushing the Chancellor for higher spending.

This is not a sustainable approach. Einstein said insanity was trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. It is time for a reality check – and if the government doesn’t understand that we will all pay the price.