By Andy McCue, 13 March 2006 11:55
NEWS
Support for the UK's national ID card scheme has fallen dramatically over the past year with more than 80 per cent of people now opposed to the controversial plans, according to a new survey of silicon.com readers.
The results show a complete collapse in support for ID cards compared to a silicon.com poll in August 2004 where 60 per cent of respondents were in favour of the scheme.
The latest poll of almost 600 silicon.com readers over the past week shows that 82 per cent are against the introduction of a national biometric ID card scheme in the UK. Of those against ID cards, 17 per cent said they have shifted from pro to anti-ID cards as the full details of the scheme have emerged. The remaining 83 per cent said they have always been against ID cards.
Just 18 per cent of silicon.com readers are in favour of the government's ID card plans, with 14 per cent of those saying they have switched from an anti- to pro-ID card position over the last year.
A separate survey by the Open University (OU) of 1,122 OU students found that support for ID cards drops from over half to a third if it becomes compulsory to register for one.
Dr Adam Joinson, senior lecturer at the OU, said: "The results of the study suggest that removing people's choice about whether or not to have an identity card not only reduces public support but also leads to a 'tipping point' where those ambivalent to the arguments of privacy and civil liberty campaigners begin to oppose ID cards in increasing numbers."
The continuing collapse in public support for ID cards comes on the day MPs are due to vote again on amendments made to the ID cards bill by the House of Lords last week which would make it voluntary for people to register for ID cards when applying for or renewing a passport.
Peers in the House of Lords argued that the government had promised only to introduce a voluntary, not compulsory, national ID card scheme in its election manifesto.
But in a rallying letter to MPs, seen by silicon.com, Home Office minister Andy Burnham said: "We will be resisting this amendment because it goes to the heart of our plans for delivering a successful scheme that we have always said should become compulsory in time."
Comments
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1. Martyn Witt
Unfortunately this, to a large extent, simply demonstrates increasing lack of confidence in Government's ability to introduce any electronic technology successfully or at a sensible cost.
Though I personally agree with the concept of ID cards, I have little faith in the people who would manage the system.
2. anonymous
About time people woke up.
Down with Police-State-destroy the ID Card Bill. This sneaky Govnment will slip in a line whereby they can intorduce compulsion by devious means. It's the Nanny State gone too far!!
3. anonymous
Only 80% against, that wont stop blair.
Since when has the current labour government ever listened to public opinion.
The other issue is Silicon.com readers will largely be IT/management skilled people. Unfortunately there are still lots of people out there who vote for Tony becuase of his "lovely smile". God help us all
4. anonymous
Similarly, there is an almost 80% figure against speed cameras in numerous surveys, but that doesn't stop them pursuing those misguided dogmatic principles. The government carries on as usual not represnting the people.
5. anonymous
Back up a bit, here. i swear this isnt going to be an accurate representation of the population.
Originally, 40% were against ID cards.
82% X 0.83 = 68.06% of people that took the most recent test have apparantly always been against ID cards.
See a problem??