Bev Turner has clashed with Labour MP Alex Ballinger over the Government’s plans to rollout digital IDs as more than two million Britons sign a petition against the scheme.
Speaking on GB News’ flagship US programme, The Late Show Live, Bev launched an impassioned critique of the proposal.
The GB News presenter told the Labour MP: “The suspicion is that the numbers which are coming across are being used now as a brilliant excuse to push through digital ID.
“No politician can explain how that would help cure the migrant crossing crisis.
Speaking on GB News’ flagship US programme, The Late Show Live, Bev launched an impassioned critique of the proposal
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GB NEWS
“It doesn’t add up. The British people aren’t stupid, and there’s no way you’re going to get a consensus on digital ID from the British population.
“If you don’t get that consensus, this policy will not work, will it?
“At the moment we’ve got a petition, I think it’s over 2 million people now, just saying I do not comply.”
Speaking from the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Mr Ballinger defended the Government’s plans, saying: “I think digital ID is going to be extremely useful for the British public.
Mr Ballinger defended the Government’s plans, saying: ‘I think digital ID is going to be extremely useful for the British public’
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GB NEWS
“It’s going to make it much easier for you to open a bank account, to buy a house, to rent a house, to go through all of those interactions that you have with the government at the moment that are quite complicated and difficult.
“It’s also, by the way, something that is used in almost every other country in Europe and everywhere I’ve worked in the past has had a digital ID that has been very effective.”
The European Union is set to roll out a similar scheme, called the Digital Identity Wallet, by the end of next year.
Over 350 public bodies across 26 member states are currently involved in large-scale pilot schemes to test the functionality of the digital IDs.
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The petition has soared to over 2.5 million signatures
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PARLIAMENT UK
Addressing the petition, which has soared to over 2.5 million signatures, the Labour MP said: “I know there’s been the petition, and I know some people have raised some concerns.
“We should absolutely be talking to people and making the case about why this is not an infringement on your civil liberties.”
However, Bev clapped back at the Labour MP, warning it is “a very small step between a digital ID and a social credit system” which would leave Britons “beholden to a government that has powers beyond your wildest dreams”.
A social credit scheme, as seen in China, monitors and ranks the trustworthiness of citizens based on their behaviour and actions.
Under the scheme rolled out by the Chinese Communist Party, those with high scores enjoy greater freedoms and better job prospects, while those ranked low have their movements restricted and limited access to public services.
However, Mr Ballinger asserted that “the digital ID is not mandatory…You’re not going to have to carry it around in your pocket.”
Previously, Sir Keir Starmer affirmed that individuals who do not get their digital ID would not be able to work in the UK.
It is believed the ID will contain the holder’s residency status, name, nationality, date of birth and photograph.