UK Politics

Plans to introduce a digital ID scheme in Britain have divided Independent readers, many of whom drew on their own experiences of living overseas.Several pointed out that most European countries already operate ID card systems without controversy. One reader noted that in Spain an ID card is essential for everyday tasks, while another said life was “a lot easier” in countries where a driving licence or passport isn’t required as a de facto identity document.From Estonia to Sweden, readers highlighted how different models of ID exist, some decentralised through banks, others state-run, but in both cases widely accepted and integrated into daily life. Those who had lived abroad said the cards were “incredibly useful” and should have been introduced in the UK decades ago.Supporters argued that privacy concerns are overstated in an era where people already hand over data via apps and online services, stressing that a universal card could make accessing services more straightforward.Others remained sceptical of a digital-only system, warning of risks for the elderly, potential hacking, and overreach by the state. Still, many agreed that the principle of an ID card is nothing to fear.Here’s what you had to say:Not compulsory in ItalyWe have digital ID in Italy but it certainly is not compulsory.It is designed to ASSIST people in accessing services.It is NOT designed to prevent people who cannot produce one from accessing services.Incidentally, if you have your phone stolen in Italy, it’s a devil’s own job to get your digital ID reinstated.This will not save Starmer’s skin.YetAnotherNameSweden’s decentralised modelI used to live in Sweden which has a system centred on the Personal Identity Number (PIN), which is a foundational, mandatory number established at birth for all residents, primarily used by public bodies like the Tax Agency for civil registration. While the popular BankID is a common digital authentication tool used for both government and private services, it is a private-sector solution, which inherently promotes a degree of decentralisation.In contrast, the proposed mandatory UK Digital ID would be a unified, government-sanctioned digital credential intended to be a single source of truth for all adults’ right to live and work. The main difference lies in the nature of the data: Sweden’s system is a long-established ID that may be linked to a separate, bank-operated digital ID; the proposed UK scheme would directly create a new, compulsory, centralised government database of digital identities, raising significantly greater risks for civil liberties and privacy as well as the potential for function creep, mass surveillance, and catastrophic data breaches.Starmer’s idea shifts the balance of power toward the state in a way the Swedish model largely avoids and we should resist it.DogglebirdTime to get over the alarmismAlmost all other European countries have an ID card and the sky hasn’t fallen on their heads. It is time we got over the alarmism and British exceptionalism that is trotted out every time this idea is floated.It will make life a lot easier, especially for those of us who don’t drive, since the driving licence is used as a de facto ID card, and in a world where most of us give away huge amounts of data every time we use an app or do something online, the privacy argument is losing its force.I would want to see some evidence that whatever system they decide to use is secure, but I fully support the principle of a universal ID card that would act as proof of identity and entitlement for all official purposes.Tanaquil2Digital obsession is laughableHaving lived overseas, I have no issue with ID, however, the obsession with digital is laughable – what about the elderly (my 80-year-old father struggles with a smartphone)? Digital can be hacked and phones stolen and what happens when the grid goes down or your phone provider? I’d prefer a bit of plastic with my biometric data on, like I had overseas.Bubbles40Easier travel with ID cardsWhen my brother recently came to visit me in Spain, I couldn’t buy him a train ticket to Portugal in advance, because they needed ID, which everyone legally here in Spain already has.A passport was needed to buy his ticket because the journey involves crossing borders. So much easier with an ID card. The format is more or less the same throughout the EU.FreeLifeFuss about nothingFuss about nothing. Should have been introduced decades ago. Having lived in countries in which identity cards are required, I can only speak from experience and say they were incredibly useful.Instead of concentrating on the negatives, why on earth can we not have a discussion about how positively to exploit this technology to increase the range of services and opportunities available to the individual?CarnabyswhiskersA solution in search of a problemDigital ID (not a physical ID card, which is the same as a passport or driving licence) has long been a solution in search of a problem. Communist countries like China and Vietnam use it to force compliance. Digital ID can be used to control what you buy, whether and how often you can travel.Imagine back to the “Poll Tax” era. It wasn’t the demonstrations that forced the government to back down, it was the non-compliance. People refusing to pay stopped the Poll Tax. With Digital ID the government could either take that money directly from bank accounts or freeze bank accounts of non-payers.Regardless of your views on the “Poll Tax” eventually there will be something the government wants you to do that you don’t want to do. It could decide you can no longer donate to a charity like Médecins Sans Frontières. It could decide to ration food. It could deem you no longer able to enjoy chocolate, alcohol or cigarettes. Want to take part in a demonstration in London for what you consider a noble cause? With digital ID travel can be easily denied.Then there’s the medical issues. Forced treatments are easy to implement with Digital ID. It’s easy to see a scenario where someone “unproductive” with two healthy kidneys must give one up to a “productive” member of society. Your son, daughter or grandchild refuses to be conscripted? Whole families could easily be collectively “punished” until they change their mind.Sounds dystopian? That’s because it is. But don’t worry – this government also wants to make it easier for you to end your life and then they’ll take both kidneys anyway.This, like all tyranny, must be resisted. The abuse of power during the “Chinese flu” was the trial run. Now they know you fell for that, they think you’ll fall for this.AntonDupontEstonia shows a different wayOK, now the reality. Estonia uses a physical biometric ID card with various anti-forgery elements embedded; think UK driving licence combined with NI card, where your personal number is your NI number (non-citizens have a similar residence-only card with a unique number different from that of citizens).In Estonia they have gone a step further by having a facility where the details can also (not instead) be held on a smartphone with links to a special email account for each person. With only 1.3 million people in total (citizens and others), no problems.Now the UK ‘plan’ is to have it as digital only on an individual’s smartphone (who funds this?). Digital only is hardly a secure system when we talk about manipulating images and pixels. Why the plan? Well, this is to pander to the British revulsion at having a photo driving licence with their address and personal details (must be that, as this is the same as the EU-wide ID card but with a biometric chip of fingerprint and data).Do we also have to be reminded of UK history with regard to all and any IT-based ideas!Jonathan MillsWhy all the fuss?Well, the UK had in the past ID cards, so why all the fuss!?Improved digital ID cards now have also multi-purpose uses depending on the country – aside from identity, they can be linked to driving permits, social and health services, donor status, disabled people, etc. In use in the EU, it is much easier also to travel and live in another city or even another country.GlembaySome of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day’s top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click ‘log in’ or ‘register’ in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment click here. More

Digital ID ‘mandatory’ if you want to work in the UK, says StarmerSir Keir Starmer has said the next election will be an “open fight” between Labour and Reform UK following figures which show an easy route for Nigel Farage into Downing Street.Speaking at a panel at the Global Progress Action Summit, the Prime Minister said: “We’re going to face a very different election next time to any of the elections we fought in the United Kingdom for a very, very long time.“That’s why… I want this to be out as an open fight between Labour and Reform, and I’ll be majoring on this in my conference speech next week.”He added that his party was “battling with repairing the damage that was done under the last government which was huge” and “rebuilding in a way which embraces and takes on the battle for the soul of the country”.It follows a new YouGov poll which suggests Reform would increase its MPs from just five to 311, making it the largest party in a hung parliament and just 15 seats short of the 326 needed for an outright majority.Sir Keir unveiled a new digital ID held on people’s phones, an attempt to tackle illegal migration which will be free of charge and mandatory within the next four years. “You will not be able to work in the UK if you do not have digital ID,” Sir Keir said.Rachel Reeves says if Labour can’t say kids are living better lives at the end of its time in office ‘it’s probably time for someone else to take over’The chancellor said that if Labour was unable to say that children from ordinary backgrounds are living richer lives at the end of its time in office “it’s probably time for someone else to take over”.She told the Global Progress Action summit: “In the end, what matters is at the end of our time in office – however long we’re in our jobs – at the end of it, can we say that kids from ordinary backgrounds are living richer and more fulfilled lives than we came into office?”If you can say yes, you’ve done a good job, and if no, it’s probably about time for someone else to take over.”Rachel Reeves at the Global Progress Action summit More

Moldova’s electoral commission on Friday barred a pro-Russian party from participating in this weekend’s tense parliamentary election, which is beleaguered by widespread claims of Russian interference.The outcome of Sunday’s high-stakes vote could determine whether Moldova, a Soviet republic until 1991 and a candidate for European Union membership since 2022, can continue on a path toward the EU or will be brought back under Russia’s orbit. The Heart of Moldova party was one of four parties in the Russia-friendly Patriotic Electoral Bloc, or BEP, which is viewed as one of the main opponents of the ruling pro-Western Party of Action and Solidarity, in Sunday’s election.The Central Electoral Commission’s action was based on a ruling a day earlier by the Chisinau Court of Appeal, which restricted the party’s activities for 12 months. The justice ministry requested the restrictions following searches earlier this month on Heart of Moldova party members that led to allegations of voter bribery, illegal party financing and money laundering.The electoral commission said in a statement that all candidates proposed by Heart of Moldova will be removed from the bloc’s list of candidates, and gave the bloc 24 hours to adjust its list to meet the representation thresholds required by electoral law. The Party of Action and Solidarity has held a strong parliamentary majority since 2021, but risks losing it in the upcoming race, in which it faces several Russia-friendly opponents but no viable pro-European partners.The BEP says it wants “friendship with Russia, “permanent neutrality” and a “state that serves the people, not officials.”Irina Vlah, leader of the Heart of Moldova, condemned “the abusive decision” and called it a “political spectacle, concocted a long time ago” by the ruling party. She made a similar statement condemning the court ruling the previous day.“We have made numerous calls pointing out the crimes that were being committed against us, but there has been no reaction, no change in attitude, which once again confirms that in recent weeks a scenario has been implemented against us,” read a statement on her Facebook page. On Thursday, Vlah was banned from entering Latvia, Estonia and Poland, which accused her of “helping the Russian Federation interfere in the preparations for the parliamentary elections.”The electoral commission’s decision is likely to inflame tensions in an already polarized country where authorities have warned that Russia is spending hundreds of millions of euros to sway the outcome of Sunday’s vote via an alleged vote-buying operation and plans to incite riots around the election.Moscow has repeatedly denied meddling in Moldova. In a statement Thursday, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed allegations of Russian interference in Moldova’s elections as “anti-Russian” and “unsubstantiated.” More

Nigel Farage is on track to become Britain’s next prime minister, with a major new poll showing the party is close to having enough support to form a majority government if an election were held today. The seat-by-seat YouGov poll, the second such poll since the election, indicates the party has extended its lead over Labour, significantly increasing Mr Farage’s chances of entering Downing Street in 2029. It suggests Reform would increase its MPs from just five to 311, making it the largest party in a hung parliament and just 15 seats short of the 326 needed for an outright majority. In June, the last time YouGov conducted a seat-by-seat poll, it put Reform on track to have 271 MPs. The multi-level regression and post-stratification poll (MRP) showed Labour would lose 267 of the seats it won in 2024, putting the party on just 144 MPs. This is down from the 178 MPs YouGov predicted they would win in their last MRP poll. There would also be a significant number of cabinet casualties, with ministers Bridget Phillipson, Ed Miliband, Lisa Nandy, John Healey, Jonathan Reynolds, Emma Reynolds, Pat McFadden, Wes Streeting and Yvette Cooper all at risk of losing their seats. Writing in The Times in the wake of the polling, pollster Sir John Curtice issued a stark warning, saying Labour MPs have “every reason to fear being swept away in a tsunami of unpopularity that would be every bit as damaging as that which engulfed the Conservatives last year”. But Conservative peer and pollster Lord Hayward told The Independent the YouGov polling should be treated with “extreme caution”, warning against looking at polls “this far out from a general election”.”If you go back, Boris Johnson swept the local elections in 2021 and he wasn’t even prime minister a year later. So treat with caution – extreme caution.”But he said there is no denying that Reform are in a strong position, saying their success is “visibly causing problems to both the legacy parties, Conservative and Labour”. “If you look at the opinion polls, not just MRP polls, but political opinion polls in general, there’s no question Reform had a good recess in September. Immigration, which is their issue, has become the number one issue. “It’s very rare in any Western democracy for the economy not to be the number one issue, but immigration is the main issue… So there’s no question that Reform are strong. “It is visibly causing problems to both the legacy parties, Conservative and Labour, but Labour in government.”The poll shows that 231 Labour seats would be lost to Reform, 26 would be lost to the SNP, and the remaining 10 would be split between the other parties.The Tories would also face a disaster scenario, being left with just 45 MPs, the poll showed – putting them behind Reform UK, Labour and the Liberal Democrats, which the poll put at 78 MPs. This is a marginal improvement from the 72 seats they won at the general election. Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage is ‘interested in the politics of grievance’, the prime minister said More

Reform UK’s former leader in Wales has pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to eight bribery charges while an elected member of the European parliament.The charges stated that Nathan Gill, as an elected member of the European parliament for the constituency of Wales in the UK, “agreed to receive financial advantage, namely money”, which constituted “the improper performance” as the holder of an elected office.At his last court appearance, it was alleged that the 52-year-old made statements in the European parliament and in opinion pieces to news outlets, such as 112 Ukraine, which were “supportive of a particular narrative” that would “benefit Russia regarding events in Ukraine”.The Anglesey man was said to have been tasked by former political pundit Oleg Voloshyn on at least eight occasions to make specific statements in return for money.At the earlier hearing, the court heard the bribery offences took place between 6 December 2018 and 18 July 2019.Gill denied one charge of conspiracy to commit bribery during the hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday.Nathan Gill, then a Brexit Party MEP candidate for Wales, with Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage in 2019 More

The Electoral Commission has dismissed a request by the Conservatives to reopen an investigation into undeclared donations to Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and Labour Together, saying they found “no evidence of any other potential offences”.The organisation, where Mr McSweeney was director before coming to work for Sir Keir, was fined by the elections watchdog over its handling of £740,000 donations in 2021.But the Tories had claimed a leaked email from a lawyer to Mr McSweeney had sought to mislead the Electoral Commission.Morgan McSweeney was director of Labour Together (Jonathan Brady/PA) More

Lord Menzies Campbell, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, has died at the age of 84, the party said.His family said he died peacefully at the Kyn Hurlingham care facility in London after a period of respite care, adding that one of his final days was spent watching the Lib Dem party conference. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey described Lord Campbell – known as Ming – as a “dedicated public servant, a tireless champion for Fife, St Andrews and the UK, and a true Liberal giant.” Lord Campbell was a ‘true Liberal giant’, Sir Ed Davey said More

Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to introduce digital ID does not mean everyone will have to carry it with them, with a government minister insisting it will be “entirely their choice” whether people use it. Under the proposal, individuals will not be asked to produce it, other than when they are proving a right to work in the UK.The plan, which would require a law change to implement, comes amid mounting pressure on ministers to take more drastic action to tackle migration as boat crossings reach a record high and the asylum backlog is still above 75,000 – pressure exacerbated by the success of Reform UK in the polls.The plan comes amid mounting pressure on ministers to take more drastic action to tackle migration More