[no2id-supporters] NO2ID Supporter's Newsletter No.10
no2id-supporters-admin at no2id.net
no2id-supporters-admin at no2id.net
Sun Dec 5 09:09:21 GMT 2004
NO2ID NEWSLETTER - Supporter's Newsletter No.10 - 3rd December 2004
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+++ Lobby Your MP Now
The Identity Cards Bill is likely to get a Second Reading (the first stage
of real debate in parliament) before Christmas. We urgently call on all
supporters to contact their MPs, Councillors, AMs and MSPs to point out
that ID Cards are NOT a popular measure, despite what the Government says.
If you get a response then please pass on details of their position to our
Parliamentary Liaison, Dave Walker (dave at no2id.net).
List of MSPs
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/index.htm
List of Ams
http://www.wales.gov.uk/who/constit_e.htm
Fax Westminster MPs
http://www.faxyourmp.com/
+++ Stop ID-cards and the database state
This is the latest email newsletter to keep you informed about the campaign
against the Home Office's plans to fingerprint and track the entire
population of Britain for its National Identity Register. As soon as
practicable the NO2ID Newsletter will also be produced in printed form to
let us reach people without email. Meanwhile, if you want to forward this
email to friends or print and distribute hard copies, then we have no
objections.
You've been sent this (if you are a first hand recipient) because we
believe you registered as a supporter of the campaign. If not, or if you
just don't want the newsletter, let us know and please accept our
apologies. We don't want to spam anyone.
(Equally, if you were a supporter in the past, but have now decided that
you do want yourself and your family to be tagged like cattle at huge and
unnecessary expense, please do let us know.)
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++ More Hustle, More Bustle, Some Opposition
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+ ID Card Costs Double
The Financial Times reports that along with the Identity Cards Bill the
Home Office has issued a cost-benefits analysis which estimates the scheme
will cost £5.5bn over 10 years. The original estimate was it would cost
between £1bn and £3bn. So costs have doubled before the scheme starts.
But it is not a maximum figure. And it does not include the cost of
equipment such as the card readers that would be needed at hospitals,
doctors surgeries, police stations, job centres etc. Yet another revised
cost-benefit analysis is due early next year. Careful readers will note
that benefits seem to be even more elusive than costs. See:
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/fbc6527a-4276-11d9-8e3c-00000e2511c8.html
+ Blunkett Rushes Out ID Cards Bill
The government is clearly keen to push the ID Cards Bill through as quickly
as possible. On Monday, 29th November, the Bill had its formal First
Reading in the House of Commons.
It was presented by the Home Secretary at the start of a debate on the Home
Affairs portion of the Queen's Speech. Whilst the debate was not specific
to identity cards many members did raise the issue.
+ Opinion Poll Figures - Misrepresented Again
David Blunkett told the house that the government had been consulting on
the issue of ID Cards for the last three years and repeated the tired old
lie that "around 80 percent of the population are up for it and are on board".
It is two and a half years since the government began consulting on
voluntary "Entitlement Cards". It was only from April to July of this year
that they consulted on compulsory "Identity Cards", and the result of that
consultation was 48% against and only 31% in favour.
The Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis MP, described the progress of the
Bill as being, "marked by the avoidance of difficult questions at every
turn - putting them off and taking them at some point later - so that
people vote for something that is not compulsory yet, but which might be
one day."
+ Tories' Five Tests For ID Cards
Mr Davis also spelt out the Tory party's approach to the Identity Cards
Bill. These he laid out in a familiar format, as five tests:-
1. The legislation must clearly define the purpose of the cards.
2. Will identity cards effectively address the purposes that are laid out?
3. Is the Home Office capable of making the cards work?
4. When the Government has decided the purpose of ID cards, will they
really be the most cost-effective way of tackling the problems?
5. Civil liberties - why should anyone trust this Government to treat the
information it holds about them with respect and sensitivity?
+ Sidestepping Difficult Questions
Glenda Jackson MP told the Home Secretary that her constituency very much
opposes ID Cards and asked, "What will be the inherent costs of that over
and above the introduction of the cards?" She was told that such a
question was not valid, that it had been dealt with through the
consultation and the draft Bill. The Home Office has never released
detailed figures of operating costs, citing commercial confidentiality as
the reason.
The Home Secretary also failed to answer Simon Hughes MP's question,
whether he accepted "that we should have minimal state interference, not
creeping state interference?" Hughes expressed the view that "for a
free-born British citizen who has not been convicted of any offence,
the presumption should be that the state does not intrude in their lives
and hold information on them, rather than the opposite."
+ Australian Warning
Peter Lilley MP, compared ID cards to a long unsold house -- there is
something wrong with its foundations. He had a warning for the Government,
as he recollected Australia's failed attempt to introduce ID Cards: "It
had even greater
support", he pointed out. But, "as it wound its way through the Australian
Parliament and the upper House, the mood changed, and eventually ... 90 per
cent of the Australian public were against it. The measure was defeated in
the upper House and contributed to the defeat of the Australian Labour
Government." A pattern he hoped to see repeated here.
+ Nothing To Hide, Nothing To Fear?
Many of us against ID Cards have tried to come up with strong
counter-arguments to the constant "Nothing to hide, Nothing to fear,"
litany. One excellent rebuttal was put forward by Edward Garnier MP:-
"One might just as well say, 'If you're not going to do anything criminal,
you can't object to being bound over to keep the peace..., you can't object
to being subjected to a curfew order from 11 o'clock at night to 7 in the
morning..., you can't object to being subjected to an order for bail...,
you can't object to being subjected to a tagging
order.'"
Mr Garnier went on to say that the proposed scheme is an insidious move to
reverse the burden of proof and to reverse the balance of power between the
citizen and the state.
+ NO2ID Mentioned in Hansard
The Hansard transcript of the debate shows a favourable mention of NO2ID,
and proof that the information that we sent to every MP is being read. It
reports that Andrew Miller MP said, "Important issues need to be looked at
and we should consider the booklet published by the NO2ID Campaign."
This isn't precisely what Mr Miller said, but Hansard sometimes clarifies
speeches helpfully.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears MP in closing the debate accused Tony
Banks MP (who is retiring at the next election) of being "demob happy, as
he set out his proposals for ID cards, a national DNA register and the
arming of all police officers", adding that she was afraid that she could
not agree with the last suggestion!
Sad to say, many MPs spoke in favour of ID Cards. We still have much work
to do.
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++ What Just Happened?
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+ Tuesday 30th November - Conservative Think-Tank on ID
NO2ID is utterly non-partisan. We work with members and supporters of
parties across the political spectrum in our campaign to defeat the
Government's proposals. Mark Littlewood and Phil Booth represented NO2ID
at a predominantly Conservative seminar hosted by Nick Herbert, Director of
REFORM [no relation to our Guy Herbert].
Many of those around the table expressed extreme scepticism about the
Government's plans at the start, but by the end of a robust discussion
several declared themselves now utterly convinced by the case against ID
cards. David Davis (the Shadow Home Secretary) and Andrew Mitchell
(Shadow Minister for Home Affairs) were present and will have noted the
mood of the meeting.
+ E-Petition Still Open
Another thousand people have signed our e-petition since its official close
last week. We have decided to keep the petition open to help us reach more
supporters.
Please continue to encourage people to sign the petition at
http://www.no2id-petition.net/
+ Identity Cards Bill Published
You can download and read the Bill and Home Office reports here:
Identity Cards Bill
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmbills/008/2005008.pdf
Explanatory notes to the bill
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmbills/008/en/05008x--.htm
Regulatory Impact Assessment
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs3/ria_251104.pdf
Race Impact Assessment
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs3/reia_241104.pdf
Or settle down and watch the six hours of parliamentary debate that
followed the presentation of the Bill here:
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Console.aspx?Encoding=2212
(Queens Speech/Home Affairs debate starts 02.00.25 into the file)
Transcript of the Queens Speech/Home Affairs debate
http://theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2004-11-29.377.2&m=1050#g412.2
+ Brixton Meeting
On Tuesday, 30th November, over 70 people gathered in St Matthews Church,
Brixton, to hear an excellent discussion opposing ID cards. The four
speakers covered practically every angle of the cards, their impact and how
best to oppose them. There was also a good debate from the floor of the
meeting, including contributions from a local councillor, a trade union
worker, local campaigners from left and right, and members of the general
public.
After the discussion the meeting retired to the pub, and Lambeth NO2ID is
being organised.
+ US/EU Passports Excuse
In light of the meagre benefits used to justify ID cards, the Government is
now using the "we have to have biometric passports anyway" argument, citing
insistence by the US and EU countries on such documents. It suggests that,
as we have to have biometrics anyway, we
may as well pay a tiny bit more and have a national ID control scheme.
The reality is different. The USA will require travel documents that meet
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, that is,
machine readable with a facial scan (a digitised passport photo). The EU
governments, after pressure from the US, have agreed EU passports that
comply with the ICAO recommendations. On 2nd December they also agreed to
a second biometric, welcomed, but not required, by the US (see below).
The UK government, however, wants three biometrics for the ID Card
system. It is not clear if this system will actually be compatible with
the EU passports. What's more the UK's centralised identity register is
NOT required to meet ICAO standards. The enormous expense of the proposals
also begs the question, "Does everyone want to go to the United
States?" Should we all foot the bill for those who do?
+ The European Parliament Accepts Biometric Passports
On Thursday, 2nd December, despite efforts from campaigners such as Privacy
International and Statewatch, the European Parliament voted in favour of
biometric passports with fingerprints as well as a facial scan. The
addition of fingerprints was a change to the proposed regulation. The
parliament did say that only the facial scan should be
mandatory, but it is expected that their advice will be ignored. More
details at:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/index.html
and
http://www.privacyinternational.org/issues/terrorism/ep_letter_biometrics.html
+ Data Sharing and the National Identity Register
The government has repeatedly claimed that the database behind the ID Card,
the National Identity Register, will only contain a "small" amount of
information. Odd then, that it takes three pages of the Bill to list the
_types_ of information that _may_ be recorded in the Register (see Schedule
1 of the Bill).
Nevertheless there is one key piece of information that _will_ be stored,
an unique National Identity Registration Number (NIRN). The Regulatory
Impact Assessment published alongside the bill says: "as Government
services update their systems over time they could cross-reference their
personal numbering schemes with the NIRN. This would allow ... citizens to
quote just one number in their dealings with different parts of Government".
In other words your NIRN will be used to link _all_ of the data in -_all_
of the government databases, e.g. NHS medical records. What is more,
private companies are also likely to ask for this number which will enable
the construction of huge virtual databases. The NIRN is the end of privacy.
+ Mixed Metaphors
This week the Government hailed ID Cards as the 'gold standard' for proving
identity, but Blunkett warned that they are not a 'silver bullet' with
regards to terrorism. Blunkett also sent out to voters what that The
Inquirer described as a "love letter", in which he confessed that he knows
"ID cards are not a magic wand". The Inquirer was not impressed by the
price of the card, or the £2,500 fine for failure to register in the
compulsory phase. It concluded that David Blunkett is one of the greatest
threats to British liberty ever.
See http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=19970
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++ What's Next?
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+ Local Groups
We now have people trying to organise meetings in many different towns and
cities across the UK, and in most London boroughs. We are putting together
a campaigners' pack to help you organise a groups in your area.
A meeting is being organised in Cambridge, and there are plans to get
things going in (amongst other places): Brighton, Camden, Cardiff,
Carlisle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hackney, Leeds, Merseyside, North Wales,
Oxford, Reading, Sheffield, Faversham, Sidcup, St. Albans, Swindon, and Woking.
If you live in or near any of those places, help would be much appreciated.
If you don't, why not make that list grow a little bit? We have no time to
lose.
If you'd like to discuss organising up a group, holding a meeting or
otherwise getting the campaign moving where you are, contact Guy Taylor
(guyt at no2id.net) for campaigning advice. In London local group volunteers
should deal with Andrew Weston (london at no2id.net), and in Scotland, Trevor
Mendham (scotland at no2id.net). More regional coordinators will be appointed
soon. Otherwise you can volunteer through: volunteer at no2id.net
+ Request for Volunteers
PHP Programmers Required
Do you have PHP skills (and a couple of days)? If so please contact Adam
McGreggor (adam at no2id.net)
We need volunteers to work in all areas of the campaign, and all areas of
the country, as things are moving fast, and we are growing fast. Press
experience, print/production background, DTP facilities, research
and writing skills are all at a premium. Security consultants who can
explain the weaknesses of the Government proposals would be warmly
welcomed. But we also need willing general helpers and people to organise
local groups: Everyone can assist in some way if they want to. See below
for more things you can do.
To volunteer, contact volunteer at no2id.net
+ NO2ID Needs _Your_ Help, Too
The battle has only just begun and we need funds to help build on the
success we've had so far. If you have not yet joined NO2ID please do.
Membership starts at just GBP15, and even a small standing order makes a
big difference in the long run. How do you value your freedom and
privacy? You can get a membership form at
www.no2id.net/content/join.html
You can also make a donation by PayPal or bank transfer, see
www.no2id.net/content/donate.html.
+ Coming soon - Fundraising Event in London
Find out what an extraordinarily diverse range of ideas NO2ID people
have. And raise funds for the battle ahead. Details will depend on how
much interest there is. Contact our events manager, Cassandra Rae
(cassandra at no2id.net) if you would like to know more.
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++ "ID" In the News
---------------------
Populace asked: Do you like ID cards? - The Register
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/01/id_survey/
Talks consider use of ID cards for business
http://www.vnunet.com/news/1159786
British Computer Society warns that proposals go far beyond what was ever
intended for ID Cards.
Home Office defends ID card plans (again) - The Register
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/01/id_card/
Kennedy Tackles Blair over ID cards - NewsNow
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/cgi/NGoto/77804448?-14281
Tories 'would not push ID cards' - BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4049751.stm
New Client? ID card please - Accountancy Age
http://www.accountancyage.com/News/1138822
Accountants may be forced to check ID of new clients centrally
All terror attacks use false passports, claims Interpol chief
But he can't back up it up with facts - The Register
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/02/noble_wows_lords/
There's only one way ID cards won't be abused - The Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2004/12/03/do0303.xml
ID cards will be government's latest techno white elephant - The Scotsman
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=1385592004
Fingerprint system crash fuels doubts over ID card scheme - Independent
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/story.jsp?story=589256
John O'Farrell on Home Office Form HO/7b(1) - The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1365202,00.html
(Please send me any items of interest you encounter - Editor)
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++ What You Can Do
-------------------
Like any campaign we need funds and people. Any help or expertise of any
kind you can spare will be most welcome. Most important is to get other
people involved and to understand the issues. ID-CARDS sound innocent: what
the government wants is ID-CONTROL. When people know that they (and their
children) may be fingerprinted like criminals and will be made to register
every change of address with the authorities, their attitude changes. So:-
1. Tell your friends about the campaign and that you are supporting it.
Most people are scarcely aware of the government's ID database project, and
few understand the dangers. Feel free to redistribute this newsletter to
acquaintances. (But please do introduce it personally and don't spam.) Your
personal witness will help others understand that this is important.
2. Sign the Petition and get your friends and (adult) family to do so.
http://www.no2id-petition.net/
3. Let us know if you have time or special expertise that you can give to
the organisation or facilities you can lend us. The campaign is getting
bigger, but needs to grow some more. Fast. We urgently need any assistance
you can offer. We can use any amount of professional creative and marketing
expertise as we begin to lift public awareness of the issues. We are also
looking for cheap office space in Central London/Westminster. Volunteer
at: volunteer at no2id.net
4. Get together with others in your area to form a local group. A national
campaign needs a national network. Experienced campaigner Guy
Taylor (guy at no2id.net) is available to help local groups build our
nationwide presence. Guy can tell you how to hold a public meeting, set out
your stall locally (literally as well as metaphorically), and how to get
other people involved. If you have experience of local campaigns then by
all means just start -- we will offer what help we can. Details of
forthcoming meetings, when we have them, are posted on the website.
5. Raise the issue for discussion in any organisations you belong to.
Everyone is affected in some way. Encourage any club, union or other
group you are in that opposes ID control to become a supporter or affiliate
itself.
6. Write to the local and national press, to express your concerns whenever
there is relevant news. Phone-in to appropriate radio and TV programs.
There is plenty of information on (and linked to) the website
to help you do this.
7. Write to your MP and MEP expressing your disquiet and ask for their
personal opinion. (Big-party MPs in particular sometimes avoid
controversial issues, or may pass on your letter to the Home Office rather
than answering for themselves.) Let us know what they say.
FaxYourMP.com is a free and confidential way to do it.
8. Buy a T-shirt, and wear it. This publicises the message--people will ask
you what it means--and raises funds. Details on the NO2ID website.
Or buy online at:
http://www.ntkmart.co.uk/ntkmart.cgi#No2ID
or
http://www.cashncarrion.co.uk/cnb/shop/cashncarrion?listPos=&op=catalogue-products-null&prodCategoryID=28
9. Join. Membership starts at GBP15 a year (higher contributions
encouraged, and a modest standing order means a lot to us). It entitles you
to a say in the running of NO2ID. There is a membership form on the website
at www.no2id.net/content/join.html
10. Give generously. A few weeks back we had no money. Now we have a little
money, but we will always need more. The Home Office is planning to spend
billions. But we will spend your money better.
Funds can be transferred to our HSBC Treasurer Account in the name of
NO2ID
A/c no: 91339427
Sort Code 40-28-15
You can send a cheque, payable to "NO2ID" to: NO2ID, Box 412, 78 Marylebone
High Street, LONDON W1U 5AP.
Special donation or sponsorship enquiries should be made to Phil Booth
(phil at no2id.net). Help in kind is equally welcome.
11. Link to us. Help us gather support on through the web by displaying a
button or banner (available on the website) on your own home site or blog
and linking to us.
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++ NO2ID Who's Who and Resources
-----------------------------
First port of call should be the website:
http://www.no2id.net/
+ If you have specific assistance or information to offer, you can
contact the following NO2ID people:
Chair - Simon Davies (simon at no2id.net)
National Coordinator - Phil Booth (phil at no2id.net)
Administration
General Secretary - Guy Herbert (guyh at no2id.net)
Newsletter Editor - Charles Farrier (newsletter at no2id.net)
Technical Manager - Owen Blacker (owen at no2id.net)
Communications
Head of Campaigns - Andy Robson (andy at no2id.net)
Public Affairs and Parliamentary Liaison - Dave Walker (dave at no2id.net)
Events Manager Cassandra Rae (cassandra at no2id.net)
Development
National Secretary - Adam McGreggor (adam at no2id.net) Local Group
Coordinator - Guy Taylor (guy at no2id.net)
Regional Coordinators
London - Simon Weston (london at no2id.net)
Scotland - Trevor Mendham (scotland at no2id.net)
+ Please, please remember that everybody on this list will be getting a
huge amount of email, so you should only direct enquiries to the relevant
person. We are grateful for all offers of help, but can't guarantee to have
time to give detailed answers to individual general queries on the ID
scheme. There is a lot of information on the website and there will soon
be much, much more.
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Publication details: (c) NO2ID 2004 - This document may be freely
redistributed in one-to-one communications or physical copies as long as it
is reproduced in its entirety including this notice. It may not be
mass-mailed without the prior permission of NO2ID.
NO2ID, Box No.412, 78 Marylebone High Street, LONDON W1U 5AP
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