A Gloucestershire council is urging the Prime Minister to halt any plans for a compulsory national digital identity card, warning that the initiative could pave the way for mass surveillance and excessive government control.
The UK Government argues that a new digital ID system would simplify access to public services and streamline applications for both government and private sector benefits, including right to work checks.
However, critics view the proposals as “un-British,” fearing they represent an overreach by the state and pose serious threats to civil liberties.
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Forest of Dean District Council voted to ask its leader, Adrian Birch (Green Party, Tidenham), to write to PM Keir Starmer, urging him to “desist from progressing with introducing any form of compulsory national identity card.”
Reform UK Councillor Alan Preest (Lydney East), who introduced the motion on December 11, highlighted that three million people have signed a petition opposing the scheme. He described the digital ID plan as a “step towards mass surveillance and digital control” and insisted, “No one should be forced to register with a state controlled ID system.”
Preest also criticized the move as a political distraction, noting it was not included in Labour’s manifesto and emerged amid the Prime Minister’s political challenges.
Conversely, Labour Councillor Patrick Kyne dismissed these concerns as “pure conspiracy theory,” pointing to existing biometric passports, driving licences, and loyalty cards that track consumer data. “Many European countries already have ID cards,” he said. “I really don’t see this as an issue.”
Green Party Councillor Sid Phelps (Lydbrook) voiced worries about the threat to civil liberties and the high costs involved, which he deemed “dubious.” He characterized the initiative as government posturing without clear purpose.
Progressive Independent Councillor Bernie O’Neill (Ruspidge) saw potential benefits in consolidating identification documents like passports and driving licences into a single card, saying, “It’s something we have to do, let’s face it.”
Councillor Tim Gwilliam (Berry Hill) expressed support for opposing the plan, hoping the council’s stance might influence the government’s approach to local governance reforms.
Other council members echoed concerns about personal freedoms and government overreach. Independent Councillor John Francis (Huntley and Longhope) emphasized that adopting ID cards should be a personal choice, not a political mandate. He warned of the dangers inherent in expanding government surveillance.
Councillor Ian Whitburn (Coleford) called the idea “bonkers,” while Liberal Democrat Gill Moseley (Newent and Taynton) supported the motion and referenced a letter from Cheltenham MP Max Wilkinson. Wilkinson cautioned that mandatory digital IDs would alter the relationship between citizens and the state, provide minimal benefits for immigration enforcement, threaten privacy rights, and encourage unnecessary data collection.
The council passed the motion with 23 votes in favor, six against, and three abstentions, firmly signaling its opposition to mandatory digital identity cards.