Despite mounting costs and increasing opposition, outgoing Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is to press ahead with the Government’s ID card scheme, launching a trial in Manchester soon.
I’m convinced by now that the Government exists in a parallel universe; there’s no other rational explanation for their continuing to pursue this policy. Not only does it genuinely threaten our privacy and civil liberties, it’s a colossal waste of money (5 billion pounds!) at a time when there isn’t much to spare in the Government coffers.