Of course the very next section in the Independent after the bit covered here says that he would make it compulsory for UK nationals to have passports but allow them to “opt-in” to having an ID card.

So really, not a huge U-turn, since presumably the identity database will continue, and if we ever get as far as compulsory carrying of ID then people will have to carry their biometric passport if they haven’t opted in for a card.

A big blow for liberty that one Dave!

An ‘opt-in’ ID card will be more or less mandatory once they are introduced and businesses decide they are ‘useful’.

Its not ‘compulsary’ to have a bank account but try finding a job without one.

Jock: It’s still an interesting change in stance for someone like him. These are small victories we can take and accumulate

Lee – I kind of agree with the overall tenor of the article/speech, but just on the ID cards thing, I think it’s not much of a “U-Turn” the media are spinning it as.

I though foreign nationals had passports, visas and the like? What do ID cards add to this?

Incidentally, great to see airline pilots lined up against ID cards – that’s just the kind og ‘glamou’ our side needs, rather than washed-up politicians.

‘…of ‘glamour”, that is.

Damn my unruly thumbs!

Wow, at this rate Blunkett will be moving left fast enough not too look out place on the Tory front bench!

Guy Herbert’s responserefutes the notion of any significant change from Blunkett.