Getting grumpy am I and maybe for a reason. Although I sometimes agree with the idea of Identity Cards I am disturbed by the latest reports of High street retailers (Boots perhaps) being given the means to take the data and send it on. That is people who can possibly be put in the tempting situation to sell the information, falsify information after the bio-data is collected and act as a channel for government department bumbling.
I am suspicious of the terminology used in the report in The Times that suggests the pilot scheme is voluntary, and by insinuation, a voluntary system nationally when the only logical way is to insist that an ID card is a compulsory measure from the very launching. The Times articles seems to favor the scheme but as an added sting points out that it is now costing some 5.3 billion pounds which seems an awful lot of money to trust to a bunch of chemists' assistants in a retail store.
The further sting is that the cost to you and I, the poor punter, as rumors will have it is set at £60.00.
Now, I have two passports being a dual citizen, both of which I have paid for and intend to renew. The reason is because I want tor travel overseas and need them.
I do not watch television so I do not buy a TV license because I do not need one.
Logically unless there is a reason for me to need an ID card why should I purchase one if they are currently voluntary? I have a passport and a driver's license with my mugshot on both so why do I need an ID card. I know who I am.
If the government want us to comply willingly then the only logical way is to issue the ID cards for free - after all I do not pay for the one I have to wear at the school where I work.
