I will not be complying with this authoritarian nonsense.
The Government is trying to sell us the idea of mandatory Digital ID cards as a silver bullet for illegal immigration. Let’s be clear: it won’t work. Illegal immigration is not driven by a lack of paperwork, it’s driven by weak border enforcement, poor processing systems, and political failure to get a grip on the issue. A Digital ID won’t stop the small boats crossing the Channel. It won’t deport those here illegally. It won’t fix the Home Office backlog. What it will do is give the state unprecedented power to monitor, control, and penalise the very people who are already doing the right thing.
Some will say: “But our data is already being harvested by smartphones, apps, and online accounts.” That’s true, but crucially, that happens by choice. We tick the boxes, sign up to the apps, and agree to the terms (even if grudgingly). A mandatory Digital ID takes away that choice completely. With government holding the keys, the risk of overreach and abuse is inevitable. Once this power is handed over, we’ll never get it back.
There’s another issue that’s being conveniently brushed aside: what about those who aren’t tech-savvy? Older workers, retirees, and anyone not comfortable with digital technology could be locked out of services, work opportunities, or even everyday life. We already see the frustration when banking, healthcare, or even supermarket services move entirely online. Forcing people onto a government-controlled app or system risks creating a two-tier society, the digitally fluent, and those left behind.
I carried an ID card every day during my military service. It never bothered me because it was for access to a secure base. That is worlds apart from being forced to use a Digital ID in everyday civilian life. This scheme will not fix immigration. It will not make us safer. It will only make us less free.
The state should never wield this much power over ordinary citizens. That’s why I will continue to oppose it.
