Scrap for Yardley centres on ID cards
The Birmingham Post reports Jayne Innes’ campaign launch in the Birmingham Yardley constituency. Apparently she kicked off with with a ’survey’:
Instead, local party members chose Jayne Innes, a charity director from Coventry. She began her campaign by releasing the results of a survey which showed 86 per cent of Yardley residents polled by Labour supported the Government’s plans to introduce identity cards.
She said: “People here back Labour’s tough measures to crack down on crime, including new powers to smash teen gangs, limit sales of spray paint to teenagers and now the introduction of identity cards.”
Mr Byrne said: “John Hemming is out of touch with hard-working Birmingham families too. Unlike 86 per cent of respondents in Birmingham Yardley, he thinks the identity card scheme is simply “posturing’”.
“People smugglers, identity fraudsters and teenage yobs will be hoping the Lib Dems win in Yardley – then they’d have an MP who would be soft on them and on their side about ID cards and tough action against teen gangs and graffiti vandals.”
Coun Hemming, who represents Acocks Green on the city council, said: “When you explain to people that the Government plans to fine you £2,000 if you move house without telling them, they don’t support it.
Who would like to bet that the “Yardley residents polled by Labour” answered a copy of the standard question provided by Labour central office in a briefing to all their candidates:
“Do you welcome plans to tackle organised crime, illegal immigration, benefit fraud and national security through the introduction of ID cards?”
You’d hardly find it surprising that 86% of people want less organised crime, illegal immigration and benefit fraud! But ID cards won’t help with any of these. I wonder what the result of a poll that asked the following question would be?
Do you welcome plans to introduce an ID card which will cost £200 or more per taxpayer, double the cost of passports for you and your family – who’ll all be treated like criminal suspects, being fingerprinted and having their eyes scanned – and incur the risk of a fine of £1,000 or more if it’s lost, stolen, or you move house without telling them?
