[arista]

This was debated today
on Politics Live BBC2HD 12:15PM


[The government has ruled out the
introduction of digital ID cards,
after former Labour Prime Minister
Sir Tony Blair said they could help
control immigration.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds
initially said the home secretary would
"be looking at all sources of advice"
on the issue.
However, he later told Times Radio
ID cards were not part of the government's plans.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said ID cards
were not in the party's election manifesto
and added: "That’s not our approach."

Sir Tony brought in legislation
for compulsory identity cards when
he was in office but the scheme was
scrapped by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat
coalition government.

Writing in the Sunday Times,
external, Sir Tony said:
"We need a plan to control immigration.
If we don't have rules, we get prejudices.
"In office, I believed the best solution was
a system of identity so that we know
precisely who has a right to be here.

"With, again, technology, we should
move as the world is moving to
digital ID.
If not, new border controls will have
to be highly effective."]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c87rgj4e0rzo

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