Card questions (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Card questions

11:48am Friday 7th August 2009 in Letters

Sir, – ID cards are a controversial proposal at the best of times, with an estimated cost in the billions and disputed benefits.

I have always been sceptical of their worth, both in practice and in principle. I have no faith in the Government’s ability to make any national ID card scheme and associated computer database work properly and I instinctively dislike the idea of carrying formal documents of identity to be produced on demand to government officials.

It has now been revealed that over £200m has already been spent, with contracts for a further £1bn signed, in order to push forward their introduction.

Given the huge hole in the budget, and the reality that any new Conservative government is committed to scrapping the scheme, it would be wise to put any further spending on hold until after the election.

Whatever the result of the next election, it is likely the ID card scheme will need to be reconsidered; I would much rather see money spent on education or health or any number of other priorities.

Perhaps our Labour MPs will let us know just what they are going to cut in order to pay for ID cards.

JAMES WHARTON Conservative Parliamentary candidate, Stockton South.