Mundell gives ‘thumbs down’ to compulsory digital ID

DUMFRIESSHIRE MP David Mundell has this week made clear his opposition to a plan by the UK Labour Government to introduce a system of compulsory digital Identity Cards.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced that digital ID would be mandatory for every adult in the UK – to help tackle illegal migration by requiring anyone working in the county to produce their identity card.

The proposal has been met with widespread opposition with more than 2 million people already signing an online petition against it and civil liberties groups warning about the potential for infringements of fundamental freedoms.

Mr Mundell said: “We all want to see effective action to tackle illegal migration to the UK, but we won’t get it through gimmicks like digital ID cards.

“I can, of course, see that there are practical benefits to be had for people who voluntarily choose to carry some form of standardised ID, but a compulsory system is another matter entirely.

“Aside from anything else, I don’t see that it would actually achieve what Keir Starmer claims it would. It’s all very well saying that you would need digital ID to work in the UK, but employers already require some form of ID when signing new staff, along with a national insurance number.

“And any unscrupulous employers who knowingly took on illegal workers would hardly be deterred by the introduction of yet another form of ID, even if it was digital.

“There will be a huge amount of debate over this in the months to come, but from my perspective I am opposed to compelling UK citizens to carry compulsory identity cards, whether in a wallet on their smartphone, or in a physical format in their pocket.

“I don’t believe it would have the practical benefits the government claims and it would all come at a multi-billion pound cost that taxpayers would need to foot the bill for.”