Clegg prepares for ID martyrdom

23 February 2008

Subjects:

ID cards

Jon Bright (London, OK): Nick Clegg has released this rather slick statement on his opposition to ID cards. Watch out for the amusing 1940s info clip in the middle from the last time they were rolled out across Britain.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LONA3Acc5js]

The strongest part of Clegg's pitch comes at the end - pledging again to refuse to sign up for the scheme, even if that meant going to court. The worry there is that the government won't make avoiding the card a direct criminal offence - denying martyrs their opportunity - but rather tie it in to use of public services or roll out large penalty fines which those with families or dependents might find difficult to justify to themselves (one wonders what would happen if our "war on terror" was conducted with a similar level of cunning and nuance). Nevertheless, at the moment Clegg is taking basically the firmest position he can. Will it be enough?

Hat-tip James Graham.

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