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Labour revolt over ID cards
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| Chris Rimmer, chairman of NO2ID |
Campaigners fighting the Government's plans for ID cards are claiming a victory after four Labour candidates seeking election to Oxford City Council on Thursday opposed the scheme.
And today, city councillor and Lord Mayor John Tanner, who is seeking re-election in his Littlemore seat, told Oxford campaign group NO2ID he also did not support the Government's proposals.
NO2ID contacted each of the 101 candidates fighting for election to half the city council's 48 seats to find out where they stood on the controversial issue.
NO2ID chairman Chris Rimmer, from Kennington, said although the scheme was a national one, it seemed likely local authorities would end up footing much of the bill.
He said candidates from the Conservative Party, Liberal Democrats and Green Party opposed the scheme, but five Labour candidates also said they were against the idea of a compulsory ID card system.
Mr Rimmer said: "When we carried out a similar exercise at the last local elections, there was a deafening silence from Labour candidates.
"This time it appears they have seen how unpopular the policy is and are not afraid to declare themselves against it.
"With even grass-roots Labour activists turning against it, surely now the time has come for Gordon Brown to scrap this highly intrusive, expensive and potentially damaging scheme."
In March, home secretary Jacqui Smith set out changes to the planned system.
Most people will not now have to give their fingerprints when getting a passport until 2011/12 - three years later than previously planned.
Plans to force passport applicants to get an ID card were also dropped, except for workers in security sensitive jobs who would need a card by 2009.
Students are also encouraged to get ID cards from 2010, while non-EU migrants applying for leave to enter or remain in the UK, such as students of spouses, would need ID cards from November.
The Government's aim is that by 2015, 90 per cent of foreign nationals will have to hold ID cards.
Mr Tanner said ID cards would be expensive and ineffective.
He said: "There are better and cheaper ways of tackling terrorism, stopping identity theft and controlling immigration.
"The Government is right to delay the introduction of ID cards.
Labour's Mr Tanner is standing against Fionn Stevenson (Green), Yvonne Lowe (Conservative) and Neil Fawcett (Liberal Democrat).
4:07pm Tuesday 29th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Roger, Oxford on 8:50pm Tue 29 Apr 08
But I want an identity card. When I am asked for my driving licence, I am revealed as a suspicious person who can't prove his identity, because I haven't got a car. I don't think people with no car should be second class citizens.
What do all those bicycle riding Green councillors think of this, I wonder.
But I want an identity card. When I am asked for my driving licence, I am revealed as a suspicious person who can't prove his identity, because I haven't got a car. I don't think people with no car should be second class citizens.
What do all those bicycle riding Green councillors think of this, I wonder.
Posted by: Mary Clarkson, Headington on 9:23pm Tue 29 Apr 08
I can't understand why they say there was a deafening silence from Labour candidates at the last local elections. I certainly responded by saying that I wasn't in favour of ID cards as I think they'd be hugely expensive and would do nothing to make the country safer.
I can't understand why they say there was a deafening silence from Labour candidates at the last local elections. I certainly responded by saying that I wasn't in favour of ID cards as I think they'd be hugely expensive and would do nothing to make the country safer.
Posted by: residents on 12:41am Wed 30 Apr 08
Doesn't matter how many labour candidates are opposing the ID cards, it is labour policy to introduce ID cards and people know that, in this election labour will lose despite the support of OX Mail,labour are proposing 2% pay rise to teachers and 4% council tax rise in Oxford, how does this justify?
Doesn't matter how many labour candidates are opposing the ID cards, it is labour policy to introduce ID cards and people know that, in this election labour will lose despite the support of OX Mail,labour are proposing 2% pay rise to teachers and 4% council tax rise in Oxford, how does this justify?
Posted by: Disillusioned, Oxford on 9:48am Wed 30 Apr 08
I can't see what ID cards have to do with the way OCC is managed. I want a cleaner Oxford, free from the rubbish on our streets and in our gardens. I want councillors that will listen to me without being arrogant and telling me what's good for me because they know better. I want better value for the high amount of council tax I pay not a cut in services. The LibDems have proved that they cannot deliver and don't deserve to be in power whatever they say about ID cards.
I can't see what ID cards have to do with the way OCC is managed. I want a cleaner Oxford, free from the rubbish on our streets and in our gardens. I want councillors that will listen to me without being arrogant and telling me what's good for me because they know better. I want better value for the high amount of council tax I pay not a cut in services. The LibDems have proved that they cannot deliver and don't deserve to be in power whatever they say about ID cards.
Posted by: blob, blobbyland on 11:23am Wed 30 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Mary Clarkson[/bold] wrote:
I can't understand why they say there was a deafening silence from Labour candidates at the last local elections. I certainly responded by saying that I wasn't in favour of ID cards as I think they'd be hugely expensive and would do nothing to make the country safer.[/quote] They've already spent loads of money on this scheme. Massive department set up and running. It's going to happen whatever.
Mary Clarkson wrote:
I can't understand why they say there was a deafening silence from Labour candidates at the last local elections. I certainly responded by saying that I wasn't in favour of ID cards as I think they'd be hugely expensive and would do nothing to make the country safer.
They've already spent loads of money on this scheme. Massive department set up and running. It's going to happen whatever.
Posted by: ox man, oxford city on 1:00pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Labour also run down this city for 25years all play areas and bus shelters are poor state and they are spending money on ID cards and Wars, there is no money coming from national Gov to Local Gov, this election is going to be a clear message to Labour nationaly.
Labour also run down this city for 25years all play areas and bus shelters are poor state and they are spending money on ID cards and Wars, there is no money coming from national Gov to Local Gov, this election is going to be a clear message to Labour nationaly.
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