Digital ID Motion

This will be proposed by Chante O’Shaughnessy

This will be seconded by TBC

The AGM notes that:

Unlock Democracy was a founder member of the campaign that opposed the last Labour Government’s attempt to introduce compulsory ID cards.

Unlock Democracy is committed to enshrining basic liberties and human rights for all.

The AGM also notes that:

The concerns raised 20 years ago about mission creep, the risk of discriminatory use, privacy, hacking and cost - current estimates suggest the digital ID programme would cost anywhere between £140 million and many billions - are just as relevant today.

The Government’s main justification for the Digital ID scheme is tackling illegal immigration, rather than providing citizens with additional benefits.

Labour’s 2024 Manifesto made no mention of a digital ID scheme.

The AGM dismisses suggestions that:

Digital ID is necessary to stop illegal working, as employers are already required to check eligibility for work with the Home Office using documents such as passports.

The AGM acknowledges that:

Many people choose to share a large volume of data with private companies in order to gain benefits from those companies’ services, but the UK government cannot routinely access this data. 

The AGM agrees that:

The concerns around digital ID and doubts over how they might be used in the future, mean that Unlock Democracy should campaign against them until such time as the government is able to address these legitimate concerns.