NO2ID update
The National Identity Card issue may have dropped out of the news somewhat since the scheme became law in 2006, and reports of the exact state of the project may have become confused and distorted. However, the government’s plans to introduce the scheme are still alive. While Gordon Brown may have recently suggested he does not support compulsory ID cards for all, his government’s own activity shows that Whitehall is still determinedly laying out the foundations of the system.
A leaked government document recently confirmed what ministers have also stated, which is that foreign nationals will be required to hold an ID card this very year, such a transparently repressive measure it’s distressing to think a government thinks it will run. This will be followed next year by people in positions of trust – security guards, teachers and carers, for example – passport applicants by 2010, and young people by 2011. The signs are all that the proposed plan for cards to be issued to everyone else in 2012 is still on track, and whether they’re compulsory or not, the document talks of “various forms of coercion” to encourage people to cooperate, through employers, access to bank accounts, and applying for a first driving licence, to list a few examples.
Furthermore, the government continues to create new national registers of private information. On 14th. February they launched “Managing Information Across Partners”, a programme by which every child from the age of 14 will be issued with a Unique Learner Number, under which their entire educational history (including exclusions and expulsions) will be stored until retirement, to be accessed by employers, local authorities and educational staff. And this in the face of repeated losses of thousands of individual’s private data by public bodies in recent months.
Fortunately, although the government’s plans for the National Identity Register are alive, they may not be exactly well. They are on the retreat, redefining and re-presenting their scheme following increasing acknowledgement of technical obstacles – and, crucially, increasing public opposition. Both main opposition parties will dispose of the project. A recent poll showed that only 47% of the public thought ID cards were a good idea. And the campaign against the National Identity Register is going strong – both nationally and locally.
On 26th. March last year, taking part in ID-Day, a national day of action against the opening of the first interview centres for passport applications, Brighton & Hove NO2ID held a successful demo in Churchill Square. At least 150 people attended, most probably more, and speeches were given by NO2ID activists, Sue Bucknall of the local Liberal Democrats and Martin Grimshaw of the local Green Party. Press covered the event, from the Argus to various radio stations, and many interviews were given. Perhaps the most spectacular support, though, was given by local band Engine Room (www.engineroomuk.info) who turned up on only an hour’s notice and shook Churchill Square with an impromptu gig.
Since then, we have continued to keep the ID register issue in the forefront of people’s minds, holding regular stalls in town, informing people about the realities of the project and gaining signatures for the national petition against the register. We’ve also held our second discussion in a year on the issue with sixth-form students at Varndean College, giving a well-attended talk to the Politics Society. We continued our presence at Pride with a stall giving information and appealing for signatures alongside this year’s march.
In November we held an open question-and-answer session for group members past and present, and anyone who wanted to get involved, at the Lord Nelson pub on Trafalgar Street. A great number of people (including a lot of newcomers) came, bringing lots of concerned questions in the wake of HMRC’s loss just days before of 25 million people’s private data. The event was capped by NO2ID National Co-ordinator Phil Booth arriving hot-footed from Birmingham to inform us of the new NO2ID pledge, a public commitment you can make to state that you will not comply with the ID scheme, adding to a growing number of refuseniks around the country (for more details, see www.no2id.net/pledge/).
Following soon after this, we were given the very generous offer of space for a stall at a gig at the Komedia by legendary folk/roots act Oysterband. The band support the campaign, and promote the national organisation on their website (www.oysterband.co.uk). They played a cracking gig, and we had some great discussions with members of the audience. People were kind enough to give us a good number of signatures, too, making it even more of a successful night.
Taking the idea further, 1st. February saw us hold the first Brighton & Hove NO2ID gig at the East Slope Bar, Sussex University campus, in collaboration with DJ Cutnutlet. A full bar experienced the inspired acoustic musing of 24Sweed’n, and the full-blooded high-octane blues of Rum Boogie (www.rumboogie.co.uk). Students’ Union President Dan Vockins, B&H NO2ID chairman Harry Metcalfe and group member Stephen Church made speeches on the dangers of an ID register and urged people to take action, and the bands and DJ Cutnutlet kept the music going ‘til the end of the night.
The national NO2ID campaign and Brighton & Hove NO2ID continue to promote information on the identity register and mount opposition to the government’s plan. With the government regrouping, this is a campaign that can be won, if we continue to spread the word and continue to show public resistance. If you’d like to know more or get involved, please contact brighton@no2id.net or (01273) 325 381, or visit www.no2id.net.
