The thing about identity cards - or any other plastic card - is that they do not identify YOU. Here I am, I'm me
They identify a link between you (or the person in possession of the card) & something else - bank account, public library, supermarket loyalty scheme, employer, local bowling club ....
In order to work, or to be of any value to you the user, the provider has to have a system which records your current status, rights, benefit entitlement, whatever
So what, exactly, is this national identity to which our cards will provide evidence of a link?
A name? But which one - if for example I am a married woman who uses one name for family & another for professional purposes?
A home address? Again, which one? A question of particular relevance to MPs & their housing allowances, but also to millions of others who have to live away from their families for work, educational, health or other reasons
Citizenship? Right of residence? Criminal record? Intelligence from various sources?
I am open minded & capable of being persuaded (honest!) but I cannot see how a national identity card would be anything but a massive bureaucratic exercise to establish, once & for all, where we all stand in this system of classification, even if that has no direct relevance for our day to day life at present
And then it will have to be kept accurate & up to date
Just to prove that I am not a terrorist? Havent I got a good disguise!
