The Plaid Cymru, a Welsh political party has expressed significant opposition to the UK government's proposals, cautioning that the scheme may endanger vulnerable populations and threaten fundamental rights.
The UK government has announced plans to implement mandatory digital IDs for citizens and legal residents to confirm their right to work. The initiative aims to provide a smartphone-based digital ID as a means of enhancing identity verification and reducing illegal employment. The Plaid Cymru has rejected the digital ID scheme, [1] raising concerns that the scheme may jeopardize vulnerable individuals and undermine essential rights. Liz Saville Roberts MP, who [2] leads Plaid Cymru in Westminster stated, “Plaid Cymru will not support any digital ID system that risks shutting people out of services or eroding civil liberties. Wales still has thousands of people who are digitally excluded, and no one should ever be locked out of vital services simply because they don’t have a smartphone or internet access.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer characterized the scheme as “an enormous opportunity,” contending that it would complicate illegal working in the press release, [3] titled New digital ID scheme to be rolled out across the UK. “I know working people are worried about the level of illegal migration into this country. A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this government is listening and delivering,” said Starmer. “Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure. And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly - rather than hunting around for an old utility bill.”
However, Saville Roberts expressed concerns that the digital ID could lead to the monetization of personal data and increase the risk of cyberattacks. She also criticized the timing and presentation of the policy announcement. “We are concerned about data security, and we will oppose any system that risks making monetising sensitive personal data for private companies or making it more vulnerable to cyberattacks. That’s why we need a proper public debate about whether digital IDs are truly in the public interest. Sadly, the fact this was announced as a dead cat strategy while Parliament is in recess suggests the UK government has no real interest in an open or democratic debate. Describing this as a ‘BritCard’ is the surest way to get a policy off to a bad start here.”
The proposed digital ID is intended to serve as the official verification of identity and residency status in the UK, encompassing details such as name, date of birth, nationality, and a photograph. The consultation process will explore how the initiative will accommodate individuals without smartphones or those who prefer not to use digital IDs. According to The Telegraph, options may be available for those who opt out of using a digital ID card, potentially including the issuance of a physical card and [4] mandatory ID cards have not been implemented in the UK since wartime. The Liberal Democrats have [5] expressed their opposition to mandatory digital ID, particularly if it necessitates the sharing of private information for routine activities.
Ed Davey who [6] is the Liberal Democrat Leader said in a press release, “Keir Starmer seems determined to lead a Government of gimmicks - that just adds to our tax bills and bureaucracy, whilst doing next to nothing to tackle channel crossings. Imagine if the Government devoted this much money and focus on getting GP waiting times down, or fixing social care, instead of pursuing the Labour Party’s decades long obsession with ID cards and more state control. It is nonsensical and the Liberal Democrats will fight against it tooth and nail just as we successfully did against Tony Blair’s ID cards.”
Meanwhile, [7] over 140,000 individuals in Wales have signed a petition against the proposed implementation of mandatory digital ID cards. The opposition in Wales is particularly strong in the Alyn and Deeside constituency, where a petition has garnered 5,661 signatures. Sam Rowlands [8] a Welsh Conservative and Member of the Senedd said, “Over 30,000 of my constituents in Wrexham, Flintshire and North Wales have signed a petition opposing the introduction of the mandatory digital ID, and many of them have genuine concerns. I’d ask for a statement from the Welsh Government on its position.”