Britons wary of digital ID plan as PM signals compulsory cards

A new YouGov poll for civil liberties group Big Brother Watch found 63% of Britons do not trust the government to keep personal information secure, even as Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce compulsory digital ID cards for all residents at Labour's conference in Liverpool next weekend.

The proposed scheme would issue digital IDs to everyone legally entitled to reside in Britain and would be used for employment verification and rental agreements, according to the survey findings. The idea traces back to Tony Blair's time as prime minister and remains supported by Labour's right wing, while critics on the left warn of potential state overreach that could curb civil liberties and give future governments broad access to private data. The polling comes as the government faces public scrutiny over cyber security and data handling.

Among those commenting on the policy, Tory MP Andrew Griffith warned that civil liberties would be at risk if a digital ID is implemented, writing on X that a government that cannot run the NHS IT system or secure our borders shouldn’t be trusted to hold the keys to every citizen's identity. The Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey indicated openness to reconsidering his party's opposition, saying at the Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth that he would consider the idea provided freedoms are maintained.

Rebecca Vincent, interim director of BBW, said, no one voted for this, it was not in the Labour party manifesto, and there has been no public consultation. Mandatory digital ID would fundamentally reverse the nature of our relationship with the state, turning Britain into a checkpoint society where an enormous burden will be placed on law-abiding people in having to prove ourselves to go about our everyday lives.

The debate is not occurring in a vacuum. Critics point to a string of cyber-attacks against British national infrastructure and a data leak in which the personal details of more than 18,000 people who applied for asylum under the Afghan resettlement scheme ended up in Taliban hands. Proponents argue that digital IDs could streamline services and reduce fraud, while opponents warn of risks to privacy and potential government overreach.

The prime minister is said to be looking at the idea because he is desparately thrashing around to find a solution to the small boats crisis, according to people familiar with the discussions. Lawmakers and policy observers say the conference could become a focal point for how far Labour intends to push the proposal and how much room it will give to civil liberties concerns. The poll underscores significant public unease about the plan, even as its proponents emphasize potential benefits in verifying identity for work, housing, and access to services.

If the government proceeds, the rollout would place digital IDs at the center of daily life for those legally entitled to reside in Britain, with the aim of easing employment checks and tenancy arrangements. Critics say the plan would necessitate strong safeguards to prevent data breaches and misuse, while supporters argue that government oversight can be designed to protect privacy and civil liberties. The coming weeks will likely see continued debate over the balance between security, convenience, and individual rights as Labour leaders prepare to address party members and the broader public.