Chesham says no to identity cards (From Bucks Free Press)

Chesham says no to identity cards

9:42pm Wednesday 25th February 2009 in News By Andy Carswell

CHESHAM residents said no to identity cards at the end of a debate on the government proposals this evening.

They said they were concerned at the lack of privacy that could be created by a central database that would contain 50 pieces of information on everybody in Britain.

Around half of the 30 people attending the debate at Chesham High School said they liked the idea of the ID cards – but not under the current circumstances proposed by the government.

The event was arranged jointly by the Chiltern Liberal Democrats and campaign group NO2ID.

A branch of the group was started recently by Great Missenden resident Katherine Stephenson, who spoke at the meeting.

She told the Bucks Free Press before the debate started: “It's more a case of standing for liberty and privacy. There are some very important questions about how our privacy would be destroyed and come under scrutiny.

“Everything we do would be recorded in one way or another.

“I hope tonight will spark off a few thoughts and people will question the reasons behind the ID cards.”

Recent research by the London School of Economics suggests the scheme would cost £19billion – equivalent to £800 per person.

Liberal Democrat Tim Starkey said he would prefer to see that money spent on extra police officers instead, as he felt it was a “more cost-effective way” of tackling crime.

Philip Skelton, spokesman for the Identity and Passport Service, said: “At the heart of the National Identity Service is a secure national database linking basic personal details to unique biometric information.

“Benefits of the service and ID cards include increased protection against identity fraud for the individual and help in protecting our communities against criminals, illegal immigrants and terrorists trying to exploit multiple identities.

“This will strengthen, not erode, civil liberties by protecting individual identities."

He added that "Costs are in fact reported to Parliament at regular intervals and this figure stands at £4.74 billion"

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