1978: Labour opposed ID cards to curb illegal immigration
Kaya Burgess writes in The Times:
The Labour administration in 1978 believed the introduction of ID cards would be “unacceptable” and “objectionable” in the fight against illegal immigration, confidential documents released today show.
The comments were in a draft statement due to be given to the Commons by Merlyn Rees, the Home Secretary, who wrote that the introduction of identity cards “would require major changes in practices and powers reaching far beyond immigration control”.
He added: “In the past such changes have been contemplated only in war: the Government does not believe they could be justified on immigration grounds alone.”
December 30th, 2008 at 21:57
As the old proverb says”Absolute power corrupts absolutely”.