Town snubs ID cards plan
From the Bolton Evening News, first published Sunday 10th Sep 2006.
CONTROVERSIAL national identity cards will not be given a test run in Bolton, councillors have declared.
Bolton Council voted to have nothing to do with the Government's idea, vowing not to take part in any trials unless forced to do so by law.
Lib Dem councillor Richard Silvester proposed the resolution at a meeting of the full council.
The Smithhills ward councillor said: "Identity cards will be expensive, intrusive and ineffective."
His motion pledged that the council opposed any move for identity cards to be required for council services or benefits "unless specifically required to do so by an Act of Parliament".
Cllr Silvester argued that the cards could be open to abuse and computer errors.
"I know what mistakes can be entered on the computer and what would happen to someone whose identity is hijacked," he said.
But Labour councillor Laurence Williamson said the scheme would help tackle identification theft and illegal immigration.
He said: "Those opposed to the scheme are trying to turn the frighteners on and are talking about cost.
"We do not know how much cards will cost.
"Identification cards can benefit the people. We already have to prove our identification for a lot of things. The passport is a proof of identification."
He said proving people's identity would stop illegal immigrants being exploited and tackle the "black economy".
"It will help eliminate the illegal immigration. This scheme can go someway to protecting identities, and allow the police to identify more easily criminals, who use multiple identities," he said.
Tory councillor John Walsh said he would not support the issuing of cards until the proper technology was in place to process identification cards securely.
A majority of councillors voted in favour of the motion put forward
The Government wants ID cards to be introduced from 2008. Everyone over the age of 16 applying for a passport would have their details added to a National Identity register.
For two years, people would be able to opt out of having an ID card, but from 2010, anyone renewing or getting a passport will have to have one.
The Government says ID cards will boost national security, tackle identity fraud, prevent illegal working and improve border controls.
Opponents of the scheme say ID cards will be an infringement of civil liberties and a waste of money.
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