Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to issue mandatory digital identity cards has been decisively rejected in GB News’ largest-ever poll.
More than 8,000 members of the People’s Channel were asked whether digital ID cards are a price worth paying to crack down on immigration.
More than nine out of 10 members (92 per cent) disagree with the Government’s policy, while only eight per cent believe the price was worth the potential rewards.
A mandatory digital identity card will be issued to all Britons as part of plans to curb Channel crossings.
The policy was announced by Sir Keir on Friday at Labour’s conference which has divided opinion.
Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe previously said a lack of national identity cards meant it was “very easy” for migrants to disappear into a “flourishing underground economy”.
GB News regular Adam Brooks suggested it would turn Britain into China, where the state controlled every aspect of citizens’ lives.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has confirmed he was against Sir Keir plan to introduce digital ID cards for all UK adults.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to introduce digital IDs for British adults
|
PAIn a social media post, Mr Farage said: “I am firmly opposed to Keir Starmer’s digital ID cards”.
“It will make no difference to illegal immigration, but it will be used to control and penalise the rest of us,” he said.
“The state should never have this much power.”
The policy has also sparked an online petition, which has surged to more than a million signatures at the time of writing.
“We demand that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing a digital ID cards,” the petition stated.
Given that there are more than 100,000 signatures, Parliament will consider the petition for a debate.
Petition organiser Maxim Sutcliff further stated that: “We think this would be a step towards mass surveillance and digital control”.
She continued: “And that no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system.
“We oppose the creation of any national ID system.”
The author added that ID cards were “scrapped in 2010” and that “in our view for good reason”.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told Sky News that while all UK citizens would have to have a digital ID, it was “entirely their choice” on whether they wanted to use it.
The Government has indicated that digital ID will be available by the end of parliament and set for 2029.
Despite cypersecurity concerns, the Government said it will adopt “state-of-the-ear” encryption and authentication technology – already in use – to protect digital transactions.
Therefore, if a phone is stolen or lost, the digital ID can be revoked and reissued straight away.
Sir Keir said the ID was an “enormous opportunity for the UK” and make it “tougher to work illegally in this country” and ultimately “making our borders more secure”.