Lib Dems say No to ID

12.00.00am GMT Mon 31st Oct 2005

The Liberal Democrats have launched a new anti ID Card web site, as their latest weapon in the fight against the introduction of compulsory Identity Cards. This comes as two parliamentary committees have denounced plans the scheme, describing them as threatening basic human rights and undermining the constitution.

The Lords committee on the constitution proposed creating an independent commission to run the scheme to take it out of direct Government control, as well as safeguards "to protect individuals from excessive intrusion into their affairs by institutions of the state or indeed by others". In a separate report, the Joint Committee on Human Rights said: "It is not clear that the gathering of personal information of persons applying for a passport, for example, bears any relation to the protection of national security or the prevention of crime."

"This is an important step up in our campaign against Labour's expensive and unpopular plan. Given how much opposition there is to these plans in the community, it is vital that we make full use of new media as an important extension to our traditional campaigning. The new site aims to increase public awareness of the implications of such a measure, which could severely compromise Civil Liberties. The site also aims to put pressure on the House of Lords, who have yet to ratify the Bill." (Chris Rennard, Liberal Democrat Chief Executive)

For more information please see www.libdems.org.uk/noidcards