Manchester is to be the first city where people can sign up for a new ID card, ministers are to confirm. Will you sign up for one of the new cards? Read the main story Read your most recent comments Read the third page of comments Read the second page of comments Read the first page of comments We are having serious technical problems with the usual Have Your Say service which our engineers are working to fix. In the meantime we are using the form on the right to ask for your comments. We will aim to publish as many of your views as we can. We apologise for any inconvenience. Read the editor's blog about this fault Your comments: Why not just insist on ID cards for people that do not already have a driver's license or a UK passport? Then the remaining money can be used to improve the NHS and reduce council tax. Or does that make too much sense?

Elsabe Smit, Fleet, UK And as for handing over my fingerprints in a High Street chemist or Post Office - forget it. It's not long since we had a card terminal stolen from a shop round here, and all our credit card numbers used in Canada. If someone did that with the fingerprint terminal, there will be all hell to pay

Shining Light, Northampton A fitting quote from the most recent James Bond film says it all - "When you can't tell your friends from your enemies, it's time to go."

David Cook, London, England This project will generate a lot of money for the economy from the IT companies producing it to the selling of the data. This may be more about "better for business" than "big brother"?

Jason, Newcastle, UK The reason this is different from other forms of ID is that it contains your bio-information (fingerprint) Giving this to the government will give them the new ability know anywhere you've been - and you can't take that ability away from them. You may say that you have nothing to hide, and trust this government not to misuse that power, but are you going to say that you will trust all future governments, without having had a look at them? Also are you going to trust every minor civil servant who has access to this, not to let it fall into the hands of just anybody who is willing to bribe them?

Cardotyn, Wales If the UK goes for the identity card, there will no remaining reason to stay British.

Bob Carrington, Goldenstedt, Germany ID cards are worthless for the stated purpose. Just more for the poor man in the street to pay ! Don't we pay enough in income tax N.I , council tax , VAT etc etc already!? Its the surveillance state reaching out to control and monitor. Resist this I.D card madness at every turn

Colin, Gravesend, Kent. UK I really wish people would stop using the tired old "if you've got nothing to hide.." excuse. For a start ID cards did nothing to stop the Madrid terrorist attacks. Given the Governments track record of incompetence with large database projects it will fail, through deliberate hacking or human error in database additions. This will lead to either people having difficulty proving they're legitimate as shown with the DVLA database and perversely it'll make ID theft easier as people will become accustomed to accepting just one proof of identity. If the Ministers are saying don't worry it's just like a passport why do we need it? that in itself shows they're lying. Day to day we hear of councils abusing anti-terror laws for snooping etc. Do you really think this database won't be abused? That's not even mentioning the costs involved, especially during the recession. I have nothing to hide but I still don't want an ID card as it goes against the British ideal (which the Government said the terrorists wouldn't change) and the security services already have enough powers that are rightly controlled by warrants and court orders. ID cards offer nothing that will make Britain safer.

John, London I'm sure the population of Manchester has far better things to do with £60. It won't make you any safer than you are already and it won't let you do things you can't already do. You'll have to buy a new card every 5 years. You'll NEVER get off the database. And if the Home Office enters your details wrong, it's your responsibility. It's expensive, dangerous and pointless.

Mr Crocus, UK I will never carry an ID card. That's all i have to say...

John, Coventry It blows my mind that the UK doesn't have national ID cards already. We are way behind many countries as usual. I live in a country where you need your national ID to do anything from joining a website to getting married. The people that don't want ID cards are the same people that have let UK society fall into the law-less awful state it is in today, open to abuse and utterly crime ridden.

Nick Chaddock, Seoul, S Korea I can't afford to pay £60 on a card let alone any thing else, I don't see why I should need an ID card I have my pass port, Birth certificate, etc what's the point in the I.D card?. It's just another excuse to get more money off us, to make Police work easier and to keep tag of every one. I refuse to give more details to our government as they seem to struggle keeping the stuff they got. What annoys me is I know it's going to be forced on us even though it seems most people are saying no to it we are STILL being ignored and our tax being wasted as always. And it will still get pushed through the back door as normal one way or another! we have no say in the matter do we? If the government wasn't so incompetent we wouldn't be in this mess to begin with.

yorkshire lass, NorthYorkshire I cannot see any benefit to people spending yet more money on identification - We already have enough. Also, I don't understand how having an ID card will deal with threats to terrorism - How exactly will this work ? Will we all need to show our ID cards to get into airports, train stations or cinemas, and who will protect us from this Government losing more of our private information ?

Sue, Bristol The only reason for the particular ID Card Scheme being proposed is to honour contracts signed in haste with IT Suppliers. We will now all repent at leisure as the cards are used for every tinpot dictator to "demand proof of id" to buy electrical goods or travel tickets.

henry, liverpool I have a driving license with photo, a passport with a photo. ID cards are just another tax and infringement of our already eroded liberty under this control freak government.

Peter Smith I spend a lot of time in a country where ID card is compulsory. It really doesn't bother me at all. However, when I return to the UK I will not get an ID Card. The reason I object to the UK ID is the cost. If it is compulsory, or will eventually become compulsory, it should be free. It's really objectionable for Government to make it compulsory and then charge £60. I know we must pay for our Passports, but then, we make a choice whether to travel abroad or not.

pat leiper, Varsheta, Bulgaria Our liberties are being eroded. This government is obsessed with controlling us. They CCTV me, They want to know where I travel to and from as the new checks at Border Control evidence. For the antics of a few dozen nutcases Labour is turning this country into a semi-police state. It has to stop. I have voted Labour all my life. Not at the next election.

Malcolm Rasala, London This will not prevent crime or terrorism; it will merely inconvenience the law abiding. As the US Libertarian Phil Zimmerman said, 'When privacy is outlawed only outlaws have privacy.'

Malcolm Highfield, Northampton I cannot see the point of them. I know who I am, and that fraudsters are always at least one jump ahead of the IT "experts" who have designed them - and the real sting in the tail is that we are expected to pay for them. This potty Labour government is still on its spend, spend trip, even in the midst of recession. Still, at least it will create even more jobs in the civil service.

milvusvestal, Ramsey, England I definitely will not sign up for an ID card. I think the arguments put forward for them is not credible and also an utter waste of money or is a fee for them another form of stealth tax? I think this country is getting more like the old East Germany every day. What next the Stasi?

Mike Jeatt, Eastleigh To the person who says he has done nothing wrong and has nothing to hide, why wouldn't he want a card. Can he prove it and how will having an ID card help?

Darkslider, Shoreham-by-Sea However, the Home Office argues that ID cards will help fight crime and terrorism and help reduce fraud, which will save money in the long term.

What a childish ridiculous statement. There is NO evidence to substantiate any real improvement in crime/fraud & terrorism from having ID cards. Criminals will just adapt as they have for thousands of years. It seems to be a case of spend £5 billion to save a £1. Just as with NHS IT system, the benefits are unaffordable & very mediocre & NOT worth the time money effort & resources which could be put to better use.

Anon Anyone who pays for an ID card is wasting their money. When this 'government' is destroyed at the next election, the whole charade will be stopped as a blatant waste of taxpayer's money.

Bruce Covey, Ormskirk Lancashire Great, yet more confidential information for the government to loose! The government cant even keep the info they already have safe. To combat terrorism & immigration, they 1st need to tighten up current immigration laws. Once that is done, then see if ID cards are needed. Another typical useless idea from this useless government.

Sandi, London I don't understand all these readers who say, I don't mind having an ID card but it should be free. They imply the government should pay for it. These readers need to be reminded how the government ultimately raises funds to pay for expenditure.

Paul Tew, U.K what a waste of money, it is just another way of protecting / adding to the number of Civil Servants

Mr Parish, United Kingdom No one in their right mind will sign up for this.. It will not cure illegal immigration / Terrorism or any other reason. They said it will cure fraud..No it wont. Pin and Chip didn't because if anyone wants to they will find away to get around this waste of money

G Moses, Leeds I will accept neither a voluntary nor compulsory ID card. It is fundamentally un-British.

Philip Proudfoot, United Kingdom So they want me to volunteer and pay for the privilege ? (Very Funny). Besides what is Manchester council getting out of this?

EEvans, Sixty Pounds is another stupid method for the Labour government to sneak more and more money and profits out of the citizens. It just shows how really bad they are. The money will most likely go towards MP's expenses, or a nice bonus. What this country really needs to gain money is much, much, much more industrial manufacturing, it's a shame and stupid that the Labour party got rid of mostly all manufacturing in the 1970s; look at Germany for example, they have hardly been hit by this "recession" because they have a high amounts of manufacturing and output. Alternatively, it just shows how much British society is changing into 'Big Brother', with the security services watching our every move, 'Privacy' hardly exists these days. Overall, I say NO to this idea as it's not necessary because we can just use our driving licence or passport for a formal proof of identity.

Michael, Cornwall not a chance....

KEVIN, wirral Will public sector employees have an option on having an ID card? Or will they be pressurised into having one, in order to bolster the figures and allow the government, to, yet again put forward massaged figures in order to claim that the "majority of people like the idea and therefore claiming it a success. Are the people taking up the option having to pay for them? If they decide that they no longer want the card, can they cancel it and have their information removed? I doubt it!!!!

Ray, Fareham Hants I have two ID Cards already, they are called my driving license and passport. Please could someone offer a sensible explanation on why there is a necessity for a third? And by the way, I'm not swayed by the illegal immigration thing, they will still be around whether they have ID cards or passports or neither.

Bertie Bobbins Under no circumstances. If the government want a single form of ID then make t free of charge. The card is not where the complaint against the card lies though, it is the giant centralised database which will contain everybody's data. A piece of plastic such as a driving licence is fine, but the database is not.

James, Reading I think its a good thing about the card but I don't think any one will pay £60.00 for the card

leigh heaver, Manchester, Lancashire I would like to know how many members of the Labour Party will be signing up for these ID Cards when the scheme is launched in Manchester. After all, practice what you preach.

Jenny Divine, Edinburgh, Scotland Unless it is a legal force, I don't see the point to do it. It would just get lost at the end.

KB, Oxford If the government are sure about the need for this scheme then why isn't it first being tried with the people who have the most power - the PM and MPs. After all, more than enough of them have proven themselves to be criminals. Let's keep tabs on them before anyone else, then, if they still want this thing to go ahead (and I doubt they would) move on to the police.

Teresa, Leeds, UK The card isn't the issue, it's the great big database behind recording who knows what about you every time you card passes a scanner - that's the issue. This isn't about security; it's about control.

George, Chessington UK Once again this government is showing its arrogance by forcing ID cards on a nation that doesn't want them, whilst blatantly deceiving the people by lying about their popularity. How stupid does this government think we are?? Why do they think they can get away with it, time and time again?!

Richard Conway, London, UK Total and utter waste of money. Just another New Labour exercise in control freakery.

Michael Rolls, Burrelton, Scotland For the sake of comparison, a Spanish ID card costs 10 . Spanish ID cards can replace passports when travelling within Europe, are used to back up credit cards and should be carried at all times - if you are stopped by police and do not carry ID you may end up spending a night in jail. I've had an ID card for years and do not understand the fuss about it in the UK.

Karen C., Madrid, Spain Roll up, roll up, get your pointless bits of plastic here. Only £60. Help pay for Labour's reckless public spending. Roll up, roll up.

Barry, Manchester ID cards are alien to the British way of life. Freedom and liberty have been slowly eroded by this Government. If they are serious about terrorism then they can close the borders of this country. Anybody entering must have the required documentation.

jim, London I will not make it easier for my identity to be used by others for criminal activity, this government is incapable of securing its own information let alone individuals. It should not be up to me to prove who I am! my passport tells you where I am from and my bank and social security number tells you what I have and what I pay towards society. Why are we expected to do any more which is of very little use or advantage except to the criminals who wish to exploit us. Banks cards are supposed to be secure yet my daughter this weekend had her identity stolen with all her savings for university. Let's get real stop this waste of effort and stop making information more important than helping each other through life. Greg

Greg Wood, Chippenham Wiltshire I have nothing against ID cards but I will not pay £30.00 or any other amount. If the Government want me to have an ID card, they should supply it FOC. It's their idea.

Dave Lathan, Carterton, Oxford Definitely NOT ! They cannot manage the 'Small' Data-bases that they have already. According to the Pensions Data-Base " I don't exist ! " According to the Inland Revenue Data-Base " I do exists ! ", so they take Income Tax from my Occupational Pension. Don't trust them ONE single bit !

B.W.Moore. Mr., Stockton on Tees. UK No Way!! Why should I? We are being lumbered with a product that the Tory party have already said they will scrap; therefore and on the probability that Labour will be decimated at the next election we are now being served up a card that is obsolete before it starts. It cannot fight crime and it cannot stop people from entering the country as an illegal. We should spend the money on these things i.e. more staff not on a product that is unwanted by over eighty percent of the population. Then in a few months we will get the propaganda from New Left Labour that they have been a 'great success' etc. and that we all want them, (even Hitler's propaganda machine were not a patch on the Labour Party machine)... So as I said NO ... Not Now Not Ever

peter lee, Stevenage NO. I already know who I am

Andrew Holt, Southsea UK I'd like an id card to verify my credit cards. It cant be hard to improve on the security of a signature. It would make the use of credit cards safer if we had to prove our id through a photo.

k holliday, Inverness It's nothing more than paying a tax for being human and an infringement of civil liberties. I believe that people will be placed under suspicion or treated like criminals if they do not carry their cards with them. More worrying, in response to a petition calling for a referendum on the matter, Number10.gov.uk stated that 'the Government does not believe that there is a need to hold a public referendum on the introduction of the NIR and associated ID cards.' This statement is clear enough - your civil liberties are being infringed, you have no say in the matter. The only response is to send a clear message back and vote the advocates of this ridiculous scheme out of power.

David C, London, England Why bother when the next gov. will abolish them. Expensive piece of nonsense from a nonsense gov!

john , Solihull, UK No way

jane.harrison, Halifax,UK Absolutely not. It is an invasion of people's privacy and, could be compared to the branding of Jews held in concentration camps during WW2. ID cards are not essential in combating fraud and terrorism, what is required in the above mentioned fields is for the government to concentrate on those issues rather than pushing for an absurd idea such as ID cards. And if they are going to become compulsory, why should we, the taxpayers have to pay to obtain them? It's just another way for Labour to waste money in pushing the idea through and then squeeze more money out of us by making us pay for something that we do not want. Do us a favour Gordon, show your spine and call a general election.

Alexandra Heaton, Wigan/ England I will be buying an ID card as I don't drive and have no passport so on occasions i have to supply proof of Id i have to carry paperwork and such with me. This will make my life easier

Ray Milne, manchester A very sad day. Some people seem to think that these little plastic cards will provide "safety [for] the whole country" they must truly be the most wonderful and amazing bits of plastic ever invented. I'm sure the Real IRA, Al Qaeda and others will now stop bombing Britain. Or, absurd I know, maybe, just maybe it will give law abiding British Citizens just one more state imposed millstone to carry around their necks - yes, very heavy plastic indeed. A sad day for democracy.

Chris Lynch, Boise, USA In my humble opinion an ID card that incorporates your national insurance number, driving license and national health or medical number would make the system more efficient for all government departments, police & health trusts etc. Think of the savings and streamlining of red tape? Someone please tell me if the disadvantages outweigh the advantages?

Patrick Houston, Strabane, N. Ireland I do not think so. What is the point? My business is my business, my beliefs are my beliefs.

Abajan Elhalled, Manchester Maybe if the UK finally decide to join the SCHENGEN agreement like most of the UK and thus don't require a full passport to travel between countries, then I wouldn't mind carrying a UK Passport issued ID Card. But again, it depends on what the card will hold. Fingerprints and iris scan would be ok as its a perfect way to determine counter forgery.

Martin Allan, Glasgow, Scotland I've got no problems with the ID card scheme but only if they brought them in and they replaced everything else. Passports, driving licences, even bank cards and payment cards for gas and electric etc. We have to pay for all these things and to just add another card to the mix without any tangible benefit see silly. As a few people have said this country is in recession so surely they should be trying to save us money....Oh wait that would make sense something most governments don't do!!

Neil, Liverpool I wont sign up until its forced upon me even then i will do so under protest . the people of this once great country are becoming more like barcodes each day

pete, Bradford This is all rather irrelevant now as Labour is doomed at the next election and we will see a Conservative majority. It will be interesting to see if they suddenly change their stance on this silly scheme and try to introduce it? Seriously where do they think all the money is coming from? Unlike MP's the rest of us can't put it all on an expenses claim.

Andrew, Colchester, UK Will I sign up? - no but I will be forced to by the government. Any time I need a passport etc they will use it to get me to sign up to a useless expensive system that will reinforce the police state - why not make it easier and just chip people

Lord Wot Wot, West Yorkshireville In my opinion if you have nothing to hide it is not a problem especially if it will help to solve crimes more quickly. Big brother is already watching over us probably much more than we realise.

Ann Morgan, London , England Why don't they just chip us all and be done with it ;-)

Amanda, Bristol, S Glos I've paid for a passport; why would I want to pay for an ID card as well? I can't believe that anyone in their right minds in this cash-strapped nation would want to part with an extra £60 to prove they are who their passport already proves they are. Why do I need both?

Bev Osborne, Leeds UK Labour shows it red face and it is not socialism but totalitarianism which it has in common with the communists. There was never so much control over the people since the days of Stalin. I fail to see what this ID card will do for us. Protect us from terrorists. The 7/7 terrorists where all British and would have ID cards. All it does it robbing us from the freedom we would like to protect.

Francis, London I have done nothing wrong and I have nothing to hide, why wouldn't I want a card? I can't even contend myself from sorting out this idiocracy. How about these:

* "If I'm not doing anything wrong, then you have no cause to watch me."

* "Because the government gets to define what's wrong, and they keep changing the definition."

* "Because you might do something wrong with my information."

Universal Turing Machine My only problem with the card is the cost. I don't buy into that paranoid nonsense about 'loss of freedom' etc. What world do these people live in? Just about every piece of information on the card is already on some database somewhere, government or private.

Graham, Sheffield I already have a driving license and a passport, the government have enough information on me. They certainly don't have my finger prints or my DNA (which I'm sure will be the next thing to be required). I have nothing to hide, but then again I shouldn't have to prove it!! Why should I also pay £60 for an ID card, sounds like another Tax!!! I suppose they have to get the deficit down some how??!!

Derb, Oxford No I will NOT sign up for one of these useless bits of plastic.ID cards are an assault on civil liberties and a massive waste of money. Whoever thinks ID cards will stop terrorists is an idiot.

Kevin, Manchester No way, £60 is crazy, especially in the current economic conditions, plus, if it was stolen someone would have my identity. With all the publicity about identity fraud I think this is a crazy idea. But, that's nothing new to this government is it.

Malcolm, Pembrokeshire, Wales I grew up in Belgium where we had ID cards. I don't understand the fuss. Do people really think that their private info is "safe".

Jacqueline Brown, Seattle, USA I already have a photo drivers license and a new passport (rip of price at £74). I flatly refuse to pay for MORE ID that's not even needed, and will gladly go to prison first. But I'm not worried. Brown and Labour will soon be gone, and the Tories will sling the whole scheme in the bin.

Lorne Smith, Maidstone, Kent I have no problems in principle with ID cards, if combined with my NI and European Health Insurance cards it would be a real help. Unfortunately, our government's record on data security seems to be the biggest stumbling block to any scheme... that and the amount we'll eventually be forced to pay for it!

Alex Bailey, Corby, England I will not voluntarily sign up for an ID card ever. As so many others have said, my driver's license and passport are more than sufficient to prove my identity. And how precisely are they supposed to prevent crime? Will we eventually be expected to produce this ID card at every possible opportunity - whilst being wheeled into A&E, jumping on the bus, using an ATM?

Tref, London, UK This is disgusting. By introducing these cards as a "choice" the government are making this outrageous and impossible scheme look like it was the public's idea! Think of how much this system will cost to implement, and think of how much you want your children to get a better education, or your relatives to get better care and attention should they become ill. Pointless, EXPENSIVE and sickeningly intrusive.

A McGregor, Scotland Hi, yes I want my ID card, thanks.

Carlos Sebastian D'amico, London-Hounslow I have just paid £70 for a new style chip passport which will probably outlive me, why should I pay £60 for further identification?

Gillian Harrison, Greater Manchester ID cards are really nothing to do with proving identity - they WILL be used to track citizens and collect personal data. This is their long term purpose. In the longer term they will be used as 'swipe' cards for all sorts of transactions (e.g. to collect prescriptions) and travel journeys such as at railway stations etc. This will be brought in bit by bit over the years. Think this is paranoia? Then look at the data collection acts that Labour have passed over the last 12 years...

Kevin, Manchester No way, there is no evidence that it will combat anything, it's just another big brother form of this government to make us into a nanny state, that wants to know what you had for your breakfast.

Elizabeth Edwards, Cardiff My passport and drivers license are more than enough id. the only people that need id in this country are all the foreigners.the clowns running the country have flooded it with them

david mcdermott, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Here's a radical thought. Instead of trying to fight terrorism by fingerprinting and DNA testing everyone in our own country, how about we promise not to go an invade theirs...

Andy, Leicester, UK I cannot see what the problem is with ID Cards. Its merely a way of knowing who should and who shouldn't be in this country. It worked during WWII. I don't think it infringes anyone's civil liberty and have no problem with it whatsoever. If it helps with fraud, terrorism and illegal immigrants, bring it on.

Bridget, England Nobody has EVER produced a convincing argument as to how ID cards will combat terrorism and/or crime. Don't fall for the "nothing to hide, nothing to fear" propaganda. It WILL be used by mindless jobsworths, let alone by criminals benefiting from hapless IT security and carelessness. This useless piece plastic, whose oft parroted "benefits" are entirely bogus is not only another means of chiselling money from the public but a a dangerous further loss of liberty. Boycott them!

Lorderkules, Leeds - England If I lived in Manchester - No. Like Ms Smith I prefer not to have to spend my own money unless really necessary.

Herbert, London, England Policeman: "Can I see your ID card"

Terrorist: "I don't have one"

Policeman: "OK then"

Utterly pointless. Will make do real difference either way. All this accomplishes is another source of revenue for a corrupt and greedy government and adds more despair and despondency to a population in ruins after 12 years of incompetent government

Phill Watson, Rochdale, Manchester I most certainly will not be signing up for a new ID card. It is nothing more than a waste of time and money. I already have two photo ID cards, a passport and a driving licence. This ID card idea for Manchester is just another gimmick.

Michael Williams, Greater Manchester Waste of time and money and will achieve little or nothing

Peter Windle, Portsmouth I have no problem with the government this country or whoever having all the info on me they want. What is the advantage to me in having one of these cards

Eric Wells, West Kirby Wirral Up to £60, this is just another stealth tax!

Adam, Southampton, Hampshire It is ridiculous, i am not going to pay extra money for stuff like that

Ricky Martin, Northamptonshire ID cards could be very useful for keeping an eye on foreign nationals. I don't think they will be good value for money for locals.

Bob Warren, Birmingham Yes Yes Yes it should be given to all.

john "It would be useful while you have this problem to give a count of for and against. I have just looked at the first few and all seem positive, which is contrary to the usual view. Spqr, Bromley Kent"

Spqr - If you're carrying out a survey maybe you might want to count more than the first few. If you did this your results would differ....

Andyd, Guildford If the Government want me to have yet another form identification then they can pay for it. Surely my passport and driving licence (both with my picture) should be enough

jessie, Essex I laugh when people complain that "they don't want the government to have all of my details", all of the details on this card the government already have! If they were to replace driving licences with these cards then I would have no problem whatsoever, but at the minute they simply seem to be an extra form of ID I see little benefit from at the minute. Richard Smith, Leicester

They don't have my fingerprints or a scan of my face and frankly i would like to keep it that way. And if the government have as you say all these details anyway why issue a card

Dazz, Worthing I am a born and bred Mancunian. I expect that in years to come I shall end up in prison for my refusal to submit to ID card tyranny. That is if I survive whilst unable to purchase shelter, food or drink without one. Will I need one in jail?

Safetybloke, Manchester The ID card concept makes me extremely uneasy. The government is introducing the scheme as voluntary now, but it is blindingly obvious that the cards will then quickly be made compulsory. Most likely as a mandatory requirement when renewing a passport, which will force the hands of the majority of the population. Although it is clear that terrorism and national security is a very real threat to this country, it also seems that 'national security' is used more and more frequently by this government as an excuse for more and more extreme infringements of our civil liberties. What this amounts to is scare-mongering in order to achieve greater control over innocent people. Democracy is currently the fairest political system in the world, but it is still important that we protect the democratic process and beware of thinly-veiled attempts to undermine it.

Edward, Tamworth, England ID cards serve no security solutions; anyone stupid enough to sign up deserve what they end up with - ID theft!

David Geraldini, Putney ID cards form the cornerstone of the governments policy of eroding civil liberties, big brother is already here, anti terror laws are intended as a means of controlling UK citizens should they wake up to what the new world order has planned for us and decide to protest en masse, so long as misguided people like mike from Manchester, spouting their mantra of ''if you haven't done anything wrong you haven't got anything to hide'' they can press ahead with their draconian measures, forget soaps and footie, write to your MP, protest, wake up before its too late.

christopher rees, Caernarfon,Wales No, I will not be buying an ID card, and would rather move country. The point at which the UK government's obsession with data collection and sharing enters the ID card phase is the point of my departure. All the people touting the "Nothing to hide = nothing to fear" line are foolish. That line was also going through the heads of the officers checking civil papers in Nazi Germany looking for Jews, or the operators of Hutu blockades during the Rwandan genocide of the Tutsis. Once a government gets that power, all consecutive governments have it, and we all know that governments can go horribly wrong. They don't need it, they shouldn't have it, and I for one will not take part in it.

Conor Marron, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK Nice to know how well the police state is progressing back in the UK. For info, here in France they have scrapped cartes de séjour for EU nationals. Another comfort is the French bureaucracy is so well run that they lose any information given. It comes to something I have to consider voting Tory until I get disenfranchised for being away too long.

alex, Douai France Just another cost that at the moment people just aren't going to pay it! It is about Labour woke up and smelled the coffee.

Damien Oldham, Hyde, Cheshire This card if compulsory wouldn't stop terrorism, anything that can be manufactured can be counterfeit, add into that the fact its going to be voluntary!! This government is a very reactive one who do nothing until the horse has bolted and then goes Over the top with retrospective policy each time erasing our privacy and liberty. Please Enough already!!

David, Bolton If this replaced passport and or drivers licence then yes but the fact eventually we will have to pay for these cards I think is outrageous!

Stu, London I carried an ID card around for 12 years whilst on active RAF service, also had a passport. I see nothing wrong with them and having to carry it everywhere, shouldn't have to pay for the first issue though.

Mike Swales, King's Lynn Having not long ago travelled to Liverpool to get a new passport, I'd be interested to know where the passport office in Manchester is!

iris kennedy, Manchester, England I am Spanish and I have to say that it is very useful to have an ID card. You can use it to travel in Europe and I can do lots of paperwork on internet. But the ID in Spain is 6 Eur. and it can be made only in the police station, not in a chemist!

Maria, Ipswich Another major government computer system to go over budget, and then they will lose all the info, just what we need!

PhilipMills, Warrington, Cheshire A stupid idea by a stupid government for stupid people who'll pay for it . governments have more than enough information on people

dee , Darlington I agree with the overwhelming views of the comments posted. ID cards have no tangible benefit to those that might carry them. I just hope Gordon Brown et al read these views and but I suspect not because they are out of touch and are increasingly incompetent in everything they do.

Stuart Barker, Manchester NO.

Tom Norton, Eccleshall I think it is a disgrace, we already pay a fortune for a passport and driving licence, that is already enough ID that can be stolen, no way will I pay £60. If they want the system they can pay for it.

Sarah Skilton, Ammanford, South Wales I am have at least 3 forms of government identity document already. Why would I carry another? Why would I want to pay to do so? If given one, why would I not bin it?

Jim Fraser, Inverness I cant wait to live in a totalitarian state, I voted Labour to get an Orwellian Big Brother world for my kids, so I'll be straight out for my ID card.

Mr Davies, Stockport, My grandparents fought a war against Hitler who tattooed Jews to keep track of them. No I most certainly will NOT be getting an ID card.

Julie Vickery, Bournemouth Why not - ID is always useful......

Fiona Steele, Ormskirk Lancashire If they were free I'd take one, but my driving license does the job at proving my identity. Why should I pay for something that has no use to me? I haven't got a problem with the concept, just not sure every citizen believes that paying a £60 tax will save this country from terrorism and crime

Orly?, Manchester I will, just to upset all those people who don't want them. In fact, I may move to Manchester, just so I can get one at the start

Terry, London, UK I cant see one good reason to have ID cards. I am astonished that a so called liberal party such as labour is still pushing this considering the public outcry against it. No way would I volunteer myself to have one let alone pay for it. Why do they need this data other than to keep an eye on us. I also find the idea of fingerprinting offensive, this happens when you get arrested and lose your rights for wrong doing. Seems like the government see's must of the public as potential criminals.

Mike, Bristol, England With the current economic crisis wouldn't the money be better spent on helping the economy?

William Johnson-Smith, London, England I have a passport, driving licence which i have to pay for to get renewed.. why on earth would i want to shell out £60 for a piece of worthless plastic?!

Gareth Price, Manchester I live in Greater Manchester so maybe I will have this "opportunity" too. Though I cant think of a reason I would want an ID card which just presents the government with further chances to make money out of me, monitor my movements and lose my data. More thorough checks using existing ID would deal with most fraud and most of our terrorists appear to be either home grown or have the legal right to be here so I cant see any benefit there either. Manchester voted resoundingly against the C charge and I confidently expect the sensible people of the north west to stick two fingers up to this daft idea too.

Sue Welch, Stockport Not only is the Government trying to impose ID cards on a unwilling populous but they are making us pay for it too! ID cards are simply going to be used as an excuse for a police force, already woefully well equipped to harass us for non-crimes (terrorist 'stop and searches'), to punish perfectly law abiding citizens without justification. I refuse to pay the Government for further eroding civil liberties and privacy.

Joshua Lawson, Otley, Leeds We already have enough identification procedures and infringements on personal liberties as it is. Why have another? I am getting sick of this Orwellian institution we all live in these days. I have done nothing wrong, and this is just accusing the public of being criminals when its the state which is the biggest criminal/killer in history

Tmanks, Huddersfield Chip & pin was supposed to reduce ID fraud... it hasn't! ID fraud is rising despite it's introduction. That's why I'm totally against ID cards. They won't work, whether it's to reduce ID fraud or protect against terrorism. A complete waste of time & money!

C Bailey, Derbyshire, UK At 70 I would find it a bit much to have to buy an identity card. They are saying "apply" for one but all know that they intend them to be compulsory eventually. The cost of this farce is very incompetent at this time with the recession, what a waste of money!

Olive White, Bulkington Why do I need more ID? I have a full UK passport with photo and address on it, a full UK driving with the same on it, my national insurance number, Birth & Marriage certificates, doctors and dental records. Why do I need more proof of who I am? I think they should be compulsory for immigrants as proof they are here legally.

Steve N, Birmingham, UK Worst idea ever thought up. I am British by Birth born in England and proud of it. Why should I have to carry a card to prove who I am there are already many records held this is just another step into Big Brother land and needs to be binned!!!.

Charles Wilson, England I can find more vital things to buy with my ESA allowance. such as electricity and food. I have never had a passport for the simple fact i have never been able to afford one. so what makes the idiots think i can afford this?

judy, Manchester With public finances in trouble this is one project that should be cut immediately. There is just higher priorities.

Ian Petchey, Oakham, Uk As every Italian citizen, I have an ID card, that is nothing more than a passport, with printed my current address (at present my UK one) and marital status. Should I change any of these info, I'm required to go to specific office to communicate my new address or status. Why shouldn't one have the same here, without all this madness regarding fingerprints and ID database (that we know is like having everything published on the WEB) ?

Fabrizio, Egham, Surrey That 50 million that Ed Balls is giving to SS workers = you would get the same results if you put it in a helicopter and scattered it over the country.

B Frank, derby Fine. You have nothing to hide and will have an ID card. What happens when criminals hack your identify details, credit card information, passwords and so on. Start worrying about WHEN it will happen. The programme by John Jenkins (Sun 3 May, Radio 4) revealed all too clearly how easy it is.

David Williams, Ludwigsburg, Germany Certainly not, don't need it, I know who I am.

oldbluedog, Paisley No one has spelt out how i benefit personally from this. if i am to pay then show me the benefit. if someone will guarantee that the benefit will outweigh the cost then i might consider one. i will consider one of Jacqui Smith's homes as security for this guarantee!

nick, London I can not see the point of such an ID card. It doesn't act as a bank card/passport/driving licence. What is the purpose of such an ID card!

David, redhill Yes I'd have one - it's about time we caught up with the rest of Europe on this. People across Europe cannot understand why we are so opposed to them. Having suffered identity theft at least a proper biometric ID card would prove that I'm genuine, a thief couldn't.

Mark N, Lincoln This is simply just another job creation scheme.

Michael, Manchester After reading the ID card report today I was surprised to learn that the ID cards would cost £60. What incentive whatsoever is there for people to sign up to this scheme when there has been, on the whole, nothing but a negative response to the idea. The public will not part with money which firstly they do not have and secondly will not put their money in a flawed idea.

Patrick, Liverpool, UK No, I will not sign up. It is a waste of money and time.

Murray, Croydon I am disgusted that this ID card scheme, and the data base that will come with it, has been allowed to proceed this far. England is supposed to be a free country - not a police state. ID cards will not reduce terrorism crime or fraud. The Madrid bombers had valid ID cards. They will be copied and create more fraud. We must stop this ridiculous plan now.

Thomas Micklewright, Leeds If you've nothing to hide, then you have nothing to worry about.

Anita Athi, Croydon, UK NO NO NO NO NO what an ignorant and disgraceful decision to put forward ID cards. i wont b getting one especially for £60. money would have been well spent elsewhere! now I'm off to waste more money on my hiked up council tax....

adem, Bromley Thought I'd check out the DirectGov website. Guess what? The privacy statement, on the form to register interest in the ID card, makes no mention of ID Cards, just Passports. This seems like a data harvesting exercise rather carefully thought through policy.

Keith , Andover, UK Why would I want an I.D card? why would I want to pay for an I.D card?

Richard Voluntary ID cards, hmm, now why would i want to spend more money on something that will be useless. I have a passport, and have nothing to hide. Yet another example of communism via the back door.

Andy Kneen, Alderholt, Dorset There's no way I'd sign up for one voluntarily - in fact, I plan on joining the 10,000+ people who've pledged to refuse to have one IF they become compulsory...

No2ID, My granddad fought in the war so we didn't here the words "where are your papers!". Hope all the people out there realise that all your medical records will also be on the card!!! Plus its not only the doctors that will be able to read it, all the receptionists, pharmacy staff, nurses, social workers and so on. So the little matter you had to go to the doctor with ten years ago there for nearly all to see. Plus how long will it be before its "you want a loan sir pop your card into our machine so we can assess all the data on you" want a mortgage, want insurance, want a job and so on!! wake up people.

mark F, stockport Not a chance, I don't need an ID card, I don't want an ID card, we can't afford ID cards... taxation by another name and an incursion on civil rights... Jaqcui Smith has proven time and again that she will force her policies through without properly consulting the people of this country... time for her to go along with the rest of her party.

Ben Anderson, Liverpool, UK NO. After the government and its many agencies/quangos have lost personal data in one shape or another I will not even trust them with my inside leg measurement. The RFID chips on the cards are not secure as they can easily be scanned and decoded by anyone within WiFi distance. They would need to be kept shielded in a wallet with a built-in 'Faraday cage'.

Stuart, Up North, UK A huge and stupid waste of money. Why if I paid for a passport and I'm going to pay 60 pounds for a worthless ID card. Most of us also photo id for driving as well. Only possible use is for visitors needing visas

lixxie, glasgow Isn't this how it always starts? step 1 voluntary cards step 2 compulsory cards 3 government controls when/where you can leave the UK 4 government controls where INSIDE the UK you are allowed to go 5 profiling of "undesirables" 6...I think you can work out the rest...

peter, Leeds "I'm also happy for my DNA and fingerprints to be held on a database - why should I have any objection, I'm not a criminal."

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out--because I was not a communist;

Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out--because I was not a socialist;

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out--because I was not a trade unionist;

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--because I was not a Jew;

Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak out for me.

The government can redefine "criminal" at will; then they can look up everyone in their database that fulfils the new criteria. Who watches the watchmen?

Thomas, Bangor Never!

mike, London I will not be applying for one. If I need to prove who I am for something like a bank then there are established procedures which work well. I disagree on principle with being required to carry a card.

Keith Ingram, Penarth Glamorgan ID cards will do nothing to stop terrorism, illegal immigrants or help the general population of Britain. It is another nail in the coffin of our constitutional rights. The money should be spent elsewhere in the present economic mess. A total waste of public money.

Ted Wade, Sheffield, England this is a total waste of money. I'm not paying nor would i take a free one. i will refuse this card even if it means I'd get in trouble cos its the point of principal. big brother state is already way to far.

Stewart, banchory Watchdog's investigation of the DVLA's mistakes, lost data on trains, the failures of "100% secure" chip and pin credit cards... just how many compelling arguments are needed to kill this terrible idea? I live in Belgium, I have an ID card and they are a total waste of time and money.

joe, Brussels I think this is a waste of time and money if you are a British Citizen with a valid passport and a drivers license which is already in the Gov. data base why would you need additional ID .If you Know your the names address date of birth of a terrorist or gang does this make them less of a treat Gov cant control free will, and most first re gain the public trust that our Data are kept safe and will not be left on trains, disk lying around or Data will not be sold or shared with banks or any other financial institutions. Is this just another desperate attempt to sell fear. There is only the terrorist and gangs to benefit from this as it will only work if everyone has one .

Oneil, Livingston No way am I going to sign up for these cards. Another way for the government to try and control us. I'll refuse even if they become compulsory.

Hannah, Gloucester UK I have no objection to the concept of an ID card. It could be very useful to have a harmonised card which covered Health, Benefits, acted as a Passport, and Driving Licence etc., However the introduction of a specific National ID card which only serves a single purpose, and will be of questionable benefit in relation to the reasons specified for its introduction, and will furthermore results in yet more personal information being held on yet another Government database, concerns me very much indeed. I have nothing too hide, but as this is an item that is being forced upon us by the Government, I see no reason why I should at some time in the future be told that I must have one and that it will cost me £60 or more. If the Government is going to force me to have one, then they can pay. However, prior to any introduction, I feel that all existing Government / official databases, as well as the system that will control these ID cards, must be opened up to fully independent scrutiny and verification as to their full compliance with the Data Protection acts, and that all individuals who have access to the data are fully trained in the requirements of the Data Protection acts, and that they are operating within those requirements.

Dave Boniface, Wincanton. England. I will not be signing up for an ID card, and will oppose the idea to the bitter end, even if that ends up with me being prosecuted should they become compulsory. I have both a Passport, and a Photocard Driving License, so why should I need another form of ID? If, perhaps, the ID card became a 'virtual passport' and a 'virtual driving license' (i.e.. no need to have pages in the passport or a counterpart for the driving license), so that all you had was one card that covered everything you needed, then maybe the card would be useful, but of course that would mean every country in the world would have to have the same system at their borders - not likely!. But to charge over £70 for a passport, over £30 for a Driving License, and then try and charge £30 for an ID card is simply State Sponsored Theft.

David, London, UK No Chance!

Tom, Manchester No, no, no, no & no - in that order. I would rather go to prison than sign up for one of these cards, which I have to pay for out of taxes and then pay for again to obtain, where the case has never been made for the use they would offer. No!

Lee H, London, UK I believe the ID card scheme to be a complete waste of time and money. How the government expects us to pay up to £60 for a document that is surplus to requirement, I do not know! The fact that they are then using fear to coerce people into joining this scheme is beyond me. Is it not logical that a scheme that the public is clearly against be dropped by the government in pursuit of a more worthwhile cause? I'm no politician, but I'd imagine the way to win votes is to listen to those who vote. Jacqui Smith is flogging a dead horse with this one. Until the government can put forward a convincing argument of the benefits of this scheme, I wouldn't even consider signing up.

Jennie, Manchester I'd gladly spend £30 (or is it £60?) for one of these nice cards. Just as soon as someone gives me a good reason for me to hold one. All the justification I've heard in this increasingly Alice-in-Wonderland debate have been about why everyone (else) should be forced to carry one, and these arguments are either offensive or spurious. Why anyone in Manchester would volunteer to buy one when it won't even be recognised or asked for anywhere else (why would it?) beats me.

David Hoggard, York, North Yorks Just to prove the problems with Government IT, this morning I received a duplicate new road tax disc in the post - 2 weeks after ordering the original. The only problem - I didn't order it !! Having phoned them, it seems DVLA have sent out duplicate tax discs to a number of people ! Just imagine the fun when duplicate ID cards are sent out - and a few go missing in the post. At what cost then?

Ashley, Oxford, UK So many people have nothing to hide?? I'm not ashamed to admit that I do - as much of my private data as possible (e.g. NI numbers, address etc. etc.), particularly when so much of my data will be held in one place - a small piece of card. I have everything to fear from a government or system that has a proven track record of not caring about our private data. Now it wants yet more information about me and will again put my private data at risk of being lost. I don't ask for much - just a 100% cast iron guarantee that the government, or any 3rd party employed now or in the future will never lose or misuse my data intentionally or accidentally BEFORE I will obtain this pointless document. I also want this in writing!

Chris Westcott, Brentwood I don't see what the problem is with having ID cards, if you are a law abiding citzen then there is no reason you should fear having one. Having it voluntary is not worth it as the main criminals wont get one. The main problem for most of us is the cost. I would get one if it became available in my area.

Daryl, Horsham, West Sussex Yes, everybody needs an identity if you don't want one then it's because you do not belong here.

Nigel Earle, Penshurst Kent I will never sign up to the id CARD - I think there is enough infringements of civil liberties in the UK. Not even Communist blocks would dare to roll out this - most banks are responsible for far bigger frauds and yet we are made to feel that we have to all fight terrorism - sounds too like the script of V for Vendetta.

Alison, Loanhead Midlothian Why was this trialled in Manchester and not in Westminster?

Tony, London I've got one, so has everybody else in Cyprus. It cost about £4.50. If we had to pay £60, nobody would have one!

Nick, Larnaca, Cyprus



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