Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Norman Baker,
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Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
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Fax: (01273) 480287.
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Local MP Poised to Vote Against ID Cards
Ahead of Monday’s crucial House of Commons debate on identity cards, Lewes MP Norman Baker is poised to vote against the government’s proposals to introduce identity cards for all UK citizens. Norman and his Lib Dem parliamentary colleagues have expressed grave concerns about the serious cost such a scheme could exert on both the taxpayer and on civil liberties should it become law.
Commenting on the government’s proposal, Norman says:
“In the same manner as his predecessor, our new Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, is leading us towards an expensive and flawed piece of plastic. This will do nothing to tackle terrorism and the £3 billion would be better spent on more intelligence and policing. Costs are bound to escalate if expensive equipment is going to be installed in every post office, hospital and benefits office throughout the land.
"The government promised the public a voluntary scheme in the first instance. It is now clear that anyone who applies for a passport or driving licence during the 'voluntary' period will be added to the ID cards register whether they like it or not. This Bill will bring us within a hair's breadth of compulsory identity cards.
"The Bill may not give the police new powers, but it will give them a powerful new tool for checking a suspect's identity and immigration status. The potential for racial discrimination in policing and in public services like health and benefits is massive.
"The government’s defence of this proposal is muddled and his arguments do not stand up to scrutiny. It is time for politicians and the public to wake up to the dangers of this scheme, both to our pockets and our civil liberties. The Conservatives in particular must make up their minds, because a cross-party coalition could defeat the government in the Lords."