A Green Party MP has initiated an effort to halt the Labour government's proposals for their digital ID scheme, attracting support from multiple political parties.
Sian Berry, [1] the Green Party MP for Brighton, has submitted an early day motion in the House of Commons that “strongly condemns” the plans put forth by Keir Starmer in September. Starmer had [2] previously announced that digital IDs will be mandatory for proving the right to work; however, individuals will not be required to carry the document or present it when requested. The Prime Minister expressed intentions [3] to broaden digital ID to encompass the management of public services, including benefits and bill payments. The implementation is scheduled for 2029, coinciding with the conclusion of the current parliamentary term. “I think there is a case to be made about the benefits for voluntary ID into other areas, and obviously we need to make that case. I think it’s a really important discussion for us to have. So on the one hand, it’s mandatory for work, but I actually think it would be a good passport. You know, I don’t know how many times the rest of you have had to look in the bottom drawer for three bills when you want to get your kids into school or apply for this or apply for that. Drives me to frustration,” said Starmer.
The motion put forth [4] by Sian Berry is backed by more than 20 MPs from the SNP, Liberal Democrats, independents, Conservatives, and other parties, references the abandonment of compulsory ID cards used during the Second World War in 1952. This change was driven by a prevailing belief that such measures conflicted with British values and civil liberties. “That this House strongly condemns the government's plans to introduce a mandatory digital ID scheme; notes that after being used in World War 2 compulsory ID cards were abolished in 1952 because of the widespread sentiment that they are fundamentally at odds with British values and civil liberties; believes that sentiment was true then and is true today,” said the motion text.
The motion asserts that this sentiment, which was significant at the time, remains relevant today. It contends that mandatory ID schemes would fundamentally alter the relationship between citizens and the state, posing the risk of creating a “checkpoint society” in the UK. Sian Berry [5] said on her X account, “If you agree that mandatory digital ID cards are a terrible idea, please ask your MP to sign my motion opposing them. These plans risk turning us into checkpoint Britain. They must be scrapped. Email your MP my motion.”
Maggie Chapman [6] an MSP for the Scottish Green Party, has also opposed Keir Starmer's proposed initiative to implement digital ID cards, labelling [7] the plan as authoritarian and intrusive. “This is an intrusive and authoritarian plan that will only increase mass surveillance and allow the government to target refugees and other marginalised communities. The compulsory nature of these cards is an affront to democracy and choice and an attempt to turn all of our public service workers into border guards. Labour is always telling us that they cannot afford to support pensioners in the winter or fund services we all rely on, but they have found hundreds of millions of pounds for a scheme like this that wasn’t even in their manifesto,” said Chapman. “No Scottish MP was elected on a promise to introduce these repressive and unwanted ID cards. It is crucial that MSPs from all parties stand together to ensure that they are not forced on Scotland without a vote at Holyrood.”
Meanwhile, in England and Wales the Green party’s membership have [8] reportedly surpass 100,000 for the first time, marking an increase of nearly 50% since Zack Polanski [9] assumed leadership in September. The rise of the Greens has raised concerns among certain senior figures within the Labour Party, who fear it may detract votes and seats from the party in the 2026 local election. “More than 100,000 people have now joined the Green movement. That’s 100,000 people who believe politics can be honest, fair and hopeful again. When I was elected leader last month, I said that we’re not here to be disappointed with Labour but that we’re here to replace them. I was serious. Because while Labour talks about change, people can see in their weekly shop, their utility bills and crumbling services, Labour are offering more of the same,” said Polanski.