Brighton Conservatives sell out on ID cards
15 June 2008
At its first ever meeting the Tory Cabinet in Brighton & Hove have failed to support their party's policy of opposing the introduction of Identity cards.
At the Cabinet meeting (Thursday 12 June), Green City Councillor Jason Kitcat, presented a motion calling on the Council to reflect the wishes of its citizens by opposing the introduction of Identity cards.
The motion called for the Council to acknowledge the huge costs of the cards, about £5.5 billion which is double the 2004 government estimate. The city's share of that cost would be equivalent to 40 additional police officers on our streets for the next ten years.
Cllr Jason Kitcat (pictured left) said: "I'm astonished that Brighton & Hove's Tory cabinet have opposed David Cameron's stated policy to oppose ID cards and scrap the plan if elected to government.
"This, and David Davis' shock resignation, shows that Cameron is failing to take the majority of his party with him -- they are in disarray over civil liberties.
"The Conservatives are not representing local people's view on this issue. Last May Tory voters voted thinking Conservatives opposed ID cards.
"A year later they have been let down.”
People will be asked to pay for the cards, plus the travel costs of attending an interview in Crawley.
Opponents of the scheme say funding the massive costs will jeopardize future funding for the council from central Government.
The motion called on the Council to resist introduction of the cards and to not require ID cards for accessing council services or benefits unless forced to by law.
"Identity cards are a vastly expensive white elephant. Looking at their detail they will be unworkable in practice and expensive.
Repeated data loss has shown that we cannot trust this government to look after our personal data," Jason added.
The Greens worked closely with the Brighton NO2ID group which, thanks to their supporters, gathered more than 630 signatures on a petition supporting the motion, which was also presented to Cabinet on the same day.
Notes to editors:
1. Media: for more information please contact Lizzie Deane Green Party External Communications Coordinator on 07931 231390. 2. Full text of motion below:2. Council Notice of Motion: Identity Cards
This Council notes that the Home Secretary has announced that some foreign nationals will begin carrying ID Cards in November 2008 with some UK citizens to start receiving the cards in 2009. The introduction of these cards will have an effect upon all of the people of Brighton & Hove. This Council believes that:
1. The disadvantages of such a scheme will outweigh any likely benefits to the people of Brighton & Hove;
2. The scheme will do little, if anything, to prevent terrorism, crime or fraud;
3. The national database that underpins the identity card scheme may facilitate criminal fraud, terrorism and potential state abuses of human rights;
4. The ID card and database proposals are likely to fundamentally alter the relationship between the state and the individual. According to Government estimates, the cost of the scheme will reach £5.5 billion, with independent commentators predicting substantially higher costs. Brighton & Hove residents will be required to pay an estimated £30 for a stand-along ID card or £93 for a passport and ID card together.
5. The city's share of the scheme's £5.5 billion cost over ten years would amount to approximately £24 million equivalent to 40 additional police officers on our streets for the next ten years.
This Council resolves to:
1. Affiliate to the 'No2ID' campaign, which already includes MPs and several political parties;
2. Make representations at every possible stage, reiterating this Council's opposition to ID cards;
3. Take no part in any pilot scheme or feasibility work in relation to the introduction of national identity cards;
4. Make it a policy of the council to ensure that national identity cards would not be required to access council services or benefits unless specifically required to do so by law;
5. Only co-operate with the national identity cards scheme were to do otherwise would be unlawful;
6. Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary expressing these views and asking her to reconsider her decision to push forward with this scheme.
Proposed by: Cllr Jason Kitcat
Seconded by: Cllr Bill Randall
[ENDS]
