The government has ruled out the introduction of digital ID cards, after former Labour Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair said they could help control immigration.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds initially said the home secretary would “be looking at all sources of advice” on the issue.

However, he later told Times Radio ID cards were not part of the government’s plans.

However, asked about the possibility of introducing digital ID cards, Mr Reynolds told Times Radio: “We can rule that out, that’s not something that’s part of our plans.”

Opponents of identity cards have raised concerns about the potential impact on civil liberties and what they see as unnecessary data collection by the state.

  • ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝@feddit.ukOP
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    9 days ago

    Blair needs to stop sticking his oar in and give the new government time and space to crack on with fixing the mess left by the Tories. I’m sure ministers have better things to do than shoot down his bad ideas.

    • Spendrill@lemm.ee
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      9 days ago

      Blair needs to stop sticking his oar in and give the new government time and space to crack on with fixing the mess left by the Tories. I’m sure ministers have better things to do than shoot down his bad ideas. be dragged off to prison for war crimes.

      Tomatyo, Tomahto.

      • ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝@feddit.ukOP
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        9 days ago

        It’s why I’ve never been allowed to meet him, despite him being a friend of the family. I might say I’d be diplomatic as I don’t wish to upset any relatives but I know I may not be able to stick to that and so does my family.

        • Spendrill@lemm.ee
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          9 days ago

          Yeah, on the other hand he’s never going to face up to what he’s done so you’re right, he probably shouldn’t have brought up the single most authoritarian policy New Labour ever proposed.