PRESS RELEASES

Wednesday, 19th October 2005

ID Cards Bill Passed Despite Continued Lib Dem Opposition

The Identity Card Bill has passed its third reading in parliament, despite strong opposition from the Liberal Democrats which, along with the Tories and 25 Labour backbenchers, cut the government's majority to just 25, as the Bill passed by 309 votes to 284. Votes on amendments to the Bill were similarly close, however, all four Conservative leadership candidates and 37 other Tory MPs failed to attend the first vote on the bill. Lib Dem Spokesperson, Alistair Carmichael called the cards a plasticized poll tax during yesterdays debate, and reminded the government of Tony Blair’s opposition to Tory plans to introduce ID cards in 1995. The slim margin is likely to increase the chances of the legislation failing to be passed by the House of Lords.

PMQ: At Prime Minister’s Questions today, Charles Kennedy urged the Prime Minister to look at a checklist of the government’s measures such as “questioning the principles of innocence until proved guilty, promoting the concept of summary justice, picking fights with the judiciary, and saying that he wants to lock people up for 90 days without charge” and concede that he was becoming increasingly authoritarian.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting, Stephanie Dearden said:-

ID cards are an expensive way of achieving very little. Terrorists who took part in previous attacks carried valid identity documents. They will not help to fight crime or terrorism. ID cards will not help tackle most illegal working and benefit fraud - Employers in industries with high levels of illegal labour are already required to check identity documents. Most benefit fraud involves claimants misrepresenting their circumstances, not their identity. We would scrap the ineffective ID card scheme and use the savings to put 10,000 more police on the streets. This will be more effective in tackling crime and the terrorist threat.

More: http://www.libdems.org.uk/parliament/parliamentaryreport.html?id=4967&navPage=parliamentary.html  and http://www.libdems.org.uk/parliament/parliamentaryreport.html?id=4968&navPage=parliamentary.html 
 

The Case Against ID Cards: http://www.libdems.org.uk/justice/issues/idcards.html 
 

ENDS

  Stephanie Dearden

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting

Notes to editors

1.  More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,3605,1595306,00.html
2. If you would like to arrange an interview with Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting Stephanie Dearden then please call 020-7771-2551 or 07985-649807 or 07754 583090
3. Official photographs here http://www.stephaniedearden.org/smd_mugs/index.htm