MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Chris Teggin
Date of Issue: December 15th 2009
Contact numbers:
07855 652689
Lib Dem office: 0151 691 8544

WIRRAL LIBERAL DEMOCRATS SAY 'NO2ID' CARDS

Following the news that a NW roll out of the ID card scheme is imminent for the New Year, the Liberal Democrat Group in Wirral echoed the notice of motion agreed by Liverpool City Council just last week. It was debated in Wirral at the meeting of full Council on Monday 14th December and carried by 42 votes to 19.

Unlike in Liverpool, where the City Council passed a motion – with the full support of the Labour group – rejecting the government's ID card scheme, the Wirral Labour Group voted against the proposals, instead submitting their own amendment setting out arguments in favour of the ID card scheme.

Councillor Chris Teggin said, "ID cards are unnecessary and expensive pieces of plastic that will add nothing to our security. There is no link between the use of identity cards and crime prevention. It is law enforcement staff on the front line in our communities that make the difference and that is where resources should be targeted."

Parliamentary Candidate for Birkenhead, Councillor Stuart Kelly said, "I'm delighted that the Council has reiterated its strong opposition to ID cards. The loss to civil liberties are obvious to most people including, it seems, the Labour Group in neighbouring Liverpool. It is curious that, given the local precedent that has been set, the Wirral Labour Group continue to doggedly support a deeply unpopular national scheme. Even the Home Secretary now seems to have admitted that claims that ID cards would combat terrorism were exaggerated, compulsory ID cards are dead in the water and that the main 'benefit' will be for youngsters to prove their age in pubs."

Prospective MP for Wirral South, Jamie Saddler said, "I am very pleased that Wirral Council has voted to reject this scheme and refused to cooperate with attempts to introduce it in the borough. ID cards are an unnecessary and gross invasion of privacy by the state. The use of so-called 'voluntary phases' is a cynical attempt to introduce ID cards by stealth and a waste of resources which would be far better directed towards frontline policing."

NO2ID: Liverpool Labour rebels on ID cards: http://press.mu.no2id.net/2009-12/liverpool-labour-rebels-on-id-cards/

The full text of the ID Cards notice of motion, proposed by Cllr Teggin:

    Council notes that the Government is pressing ahead with imminent plans to roll out the Home Office voluntary scheme for ID cards across the North West region from early next year.

    Council notes that the existing policy of the Wirral Council is that it is opposed to the introduction of ID cards and the associated database and that funding would be better spent on additional police officers.

    Council further notes that:

      1. Despite arguments by Labour ministers to the contrary, ID cards and the database will not prevent crime, terrorism or illegal immigration.
      2. The introduction of ID cards would fundamentally change the relationship between the citizen and the state
      3. The Prime Minister's speech to his party conference sought to give the impression that ID cards would not be introduced, at the same time as his government was clearly preparing for these pilot schemes.

    Therefore, Council resolves to:

      1. Reiterate its current opposition to the ID card scheme and any introduction of this in Wirral
      2. Refuse to co operate with any plans to promote the card scheme. This will include refusal to allow any council premises to be used for promotional events or meetings and refusal to use any of Wirral council's communications channels to provide information about the scheme
      3. Work with organisations campaigning against the ID card scheme such as NO2ID to raise awareness among Wirral residents of the civil liberties implications of the ID card and database scheme