UK considering national ID cards again

The UK is considering imposing a national ID card once again.

Britons, you defeated ID cards 15 years ago. Now you will have to defeat it again.

The question of what data the state will or won't link to the national ID number is a red herring, because many other organizations are likely to index databases by national ID number. It will become the easiest way to keep a data base about individuals. They will do this even if they don't really need to verify anyone's identity.

In Barcelona, I learned 15 years ago, the municipal swimming pools recorded who was a paying member by their national ID numbers. All they really need is to verify that a client paid for a membership, but checking the national ID card was quick and easy — and unjust.

The state too is likely to include a person's national ID number in other data bases of personal data.

Stephen Kinnock is the MP for Aberavon in Wales. If you know people who live there, please talking about the issue with them.