UK Petition Calls for Referendum on National ID Cards

Why it matters

- The UK has twice before implemented national identity cards, both during wartime. The first was under the National Registration Act 1915 during World War I, and the second was from 1939 to 1952 under the National Registration Act 1939. The latter was abolished after a High Court ruling questioned the use of emergency powers in peacetime and due to public resentment. - The Labour government under Tony Blair introduced the Identity Cards Act 2006, which created a framework for a national identity card and a centralized database called the National Identity Register. This scheme was scrapped in 2010 by the incoming Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government, which cited concerns over cost and the erosion of civil liberties. The register was officially destroyed in February 2011. - A more recent attempt at a digital identity solution, GOV.UK Verify, was launched in 2016 but was shut down in April 2023. The system suffered from low adoption by both the public and government services, falling short of its user targets, and faced criticism over technical and privacy issues. The government is now transitioning to a new system called GOV.UK One Login. - The estimated cost of the 2006 ID card scheme had risen to £5.75 billion by 2007. More recently, the Office for Budget Responsibility has provisionally estimated that a new national digital ID system could cost £1.8 billion over three years. - In a significant policy shift, the Labour Party, under Keir Starmer, announced plans in late 2025 for a mandatory digital ID system, dubbed the "Brit Card," for all working adults to verify their right to live and work in the UK. This reverses the party's previous stance and has ignited debate around civil liberties. - The Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats have historically opposed mandatory ID cards. While some senior Conservatives have recently suggested they are considering the idea to tackle illegal immigration, the party officially remains opposed. The Liberal Democrats also maintain their opposition, citing privacy concerns and the potential impact on marginalized groups, though the party leader has suggested they might be open to a new approach. - Despite a challenging venture capital market in 2024, UK tech startups, particularly in AI, fintech, and sustainable energy, continue to attract significant investment. London remains the largest VC ecosystem in Europe, with major funding rounds for companies like Wayve (over $1 billion) and Lighthouse ($370 million). - At the 2026 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, drivers have been critical of the new regulations. Max Verstappen described the energy management demands as "anti-racing" and "not very Formula 1-like," while Lewis Hamilton noted the cars feel slower and systems are "ridiculously complex." Charles Leclerc set the fastest time on the second day of testing for Ferrari.

Key numbers

• The first was under the National Registration Act 1915 during World War I, and the second was from 1939 to 1952 under the National Registration Act 1939.
• The Labour government under Tony Blair introduced the Identity Cards Act 2006, which created a framework for a national identity card and a centralized database called the National Identity Register.
• This scheme was scrapped in 2010 by the incoming Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government, which cited concerns over cost and the erosion of civil liberties.
• The register was officially destroyed in February 2011.

What happens next

• The system suffered from low adoption by both the public and government services, falling short of its user targets, and faced criticism over technical and privacy issues.
• More recently, the Office for Budget Responsibility has provisionally estimated that a new national digital ID system could cost £1.8 billion over three years.
• In a significant policy shift, the Labour Party, under Keir Starmer, announced plans in late 2025 for a mandatory digital ID system, dubbed the "Brit Card," for all working adults to verify their right to live and work in the UK.

Sources

• calls for
• The first was under the
• The register was officially
• A more recent attempt
• The estimated cost
• More recently, the Office
• In a significant policy
• This reverses the party's
• The Conservative Party
• While some senior Conservatives
• The Liberal Democrats
• Despite a challenging
• Max Verstappen described
• Charles Leclerc set the

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