*ID Scheme – Repackaged

The No2ID campaign say, “Don't be fooled”. Contrary to reports in the media, the government is pressing ahead with its ID scheme - it has simply repackaged it.

Last Thursday the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith launched the ID scheme 'Delivery Plan', much of which NO2ID had already revealed via annotated leaked documents that have now spread all over the internet. It is clear that the aim is to grab as much data as possible as quickly as possible, to try and coerce or dupe as many people as possible into being enrolled on the ID database (the 'National Identity Register'), with the aim of making universal registration seem inevitable.

To help this plan along the Home Office has repackaged its proposals to hide the less palatable parts of the system. Its approach will be more subtle, (except for those who face losing their job if they refuse to be registered) in the hope that they will be fooled into "choosing" a lifelong regime of red tape, fines and inconvenience.

From November, non-EEA (European Economic Area) foreign national students or those on a marriage visa will be compelled to have ID cards. In 2009 airside staff at UK airports will be issued with ID cards – most likely as part of the vetting process, to make it seem like less of a big deal to those affected. Next, young people will be encouraged to sign up "voluntarily", perhaps with pre-filled forms ready to sign and

return and a list of alleged benefits if they join the ID club.

This repackaging conceals the reality - once on the National Identity Register, you are on for life. All of the penalties and fines for not keeping your data up to date or accurate will kick in, and you will be numbered forever.

What's next? - NO2ID London Mayoral Hustings - Tuesday, 8th April 7.00 pm at Friends House, 173 Euston Road NW1 2BJ. NO2ID. How do the candidates for Mayor of London feel about the civil liberties and privacy implications of national ID schemes? What is their attitude to the database state? Prospective candidates Sian Berry(Green), Gerrard Batten (UKIP),) Lindsay German (Respect), Boris Johnson (Conservative), and Brian Paddick (LibDem) have indicated interest in participating.

Details of the campaign, petition forms, merchandise etc. available from The NO2ID Campaign, Box No. 412, 19-21 Crawford Street, London, W1H 1PJ, email: office@no2id.net or see the website: www.no2id.net or telephone 07005 800 651