Blunkett warns over ‘Big Brother’ Britain
Andrew Grice writes in the Independent:
David Blunkett, who introduced the idea of identity cards when Home Secretary, will issue a stark warning to the Government tomorrow that it is in danger of abusing its power by taking Britain towards a “Big Brother” state.
At the 21st annual law lecture in Essex University’s Colchester campus, Mr Blunkett will urge ministers to rethink policy and counter criticism from civil liberties campaigners that Labour is creating a “surveillance society.”
He will come out against the Government’s controversial plan to set up a database holding details of telephone calls and emails and its proposal to allow public bodies to share personal data with each other.
His surprise intervention will be welcomed by campaign groups, who regard him as a hardliner because of his strong backing for a national ID card scheme and tough anti-terror laws. The former home secretary will propose a U-turn on ID cards for British citizens, although he agrees with plans to make them compulsory for foreign nationals.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:07
Oh for goodness sake, you couldn’t make this up. Blunkett ignored all the warnings back then while he was instigating all of these measures. Is he a turncoat, a colossal idiot, or just seriously deluded? Whatever the reality is, I don’t trust him one bit. Suddenly he’s leaning towards our side, is he? Pull the other one!
February 23rd, 2009 at 14:02
I wonder if he has a new directorship? Is he worried about losing his seat as an MP?
February 23rd, 2009 at 15:26
So Blunkett’s idea of a ‘compromise’ is to make a £100+ passport compulsory for all British citizens. You couldn’t make it up. Why would I need a passport to exist in my own country? Though this intervention by Blunkett does show that they are getting seriously rattled by the opposition to ID Cards and the database state.
February 23rd, 2009 at 19:45
He is behaving like a typical politician really from the research i’ve done.They tow the government line when a minister and then go the other way when on the backbenches.We live in an elected dictatorship.One party opposes policy in opposition and then promotes that policy when elected.
February 24th, 2009 at 20:10
[...] was seen on No2ID, quoting the Independent. Andrew Grice writes in the Independent: David Blunkett, who introduced [...]