Lib Dems lead the opposition to mandatory digital ID cards

Lib Dem Bobby Dean MP is raising concerns over the Government’s proposed introduction of mandatory digital ID cards, highlighting the risk to long-held civil liberties and the right to privacy.

The proposal would negatively impact more marginalised groups in society, with the effects being felt by older people, people living in poverty and disabled people who often have limited access to digital devices or low digital literacy.

It is also set to cost the taxpayer billions.

The party has continuously backed the British public in rejecting mandatory ID proposals since they were first floated by Tony Blair's Labour government in the 2000s and  Bobby is adding his voice to the strong opposition to the digital ID system.

Bobby Dean MP, Lib Dem MP for Carshalton and Wallington, said:

"We campaigned against their introduction two decades ago because they were expensive, unnecessary, and posed a serious threat to people’s privacy. I’m proud that we helped to shelve that proposal and we haven’t changed our position since.

“We do not believe that the country should spend time and public money on developing a massive new centralised database of everyone’s private information. The Government has yet to make a convincing case for how such a system would deliver real benefits that justify the cost and the risks to our freedoms.

“Instead of reviving failed ideas from the past, the Government should be focused on the real challenges facing the country: fixing the crisis in health and social care and getting the economy back on track."

The Liberal Democrats are collecting signatures on a petition to show the government the strength of public opposition to these plans.  You can add your name here: https://www.libdems.org.uk/nodigitalid