Digital ID cards are intrusive and unwanted
The Scottish Greens have opposed Keir Starmer’s controversial plan to introduce digital ID cards.
Green MSP Maggie Chapman said:
“This is an intrusive and authoritarian plan that will only increase mass surveillance and allow the government to target refugees and other marginalised communities.
“The compulsory nature of these cards is an affront to democracy and choice and an attempt to turn all of our public service workers into border guards.
“Labour is always telling us that they cannot afford to support pensioners in the winter or fund services we all rely on, but they have found hundreds of millions of pounds for a scheme like this that wasn’t even in their manifesto.
“And that money will be going to the private IT company that wins the lucrative contract. Labour is at risk of repeating the PPE scandal we saw during Covid, and creating the opportunity for future consultancy jobs for ex ministers.
“It’s a throw back to the worst days of Tony Blair. Making people carry ID cards was wrong then and it is wrong now.
“I certainly won’t be carrying one of Keir Starmer’s so-called Brit cards and I know that many others will resist them too.”
Maggie added:
“No Scottish MP was elected on a promise to introduce these repressive and unwanted ID cards. It is crucial that MSPs from all parties stand together to ensure that they are not forced on Scotland without a vote at Holyrood.”