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NAC votes against Identity Cards

Tony Gurney, SNP NAC councillor, proposed a successful motion that NAC would not take part in any voluntary pilot scheme related to the National Identity Scheme, which he described as 'an attack on civil liberties.'

Written by Tony Gurney
Friday, 18 January 2008

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The government's plans to introduce ID cards received a fresh blow today as North Ayrshire Council voted not to co-operate with any introduction of the controversial documents.

A motion introduced by Tony Gurney, SNP Councillor for Ardrossan and Arran, called on the council to write to the Home Office informing them that North Ayrshire Council will not take part in any voluntary pilot scheme or feasibility work related to the National Identity Scheme.

Speaking during the council meeting, Councillor Gurney pointed out that the cost of introducing ID cards is estimated to be £18bn. Terminals to use the cards, (paid for by council tax payers), will cost £4000 each; money that could be far better used for providing local services. He described the proposal for ID cards as 'an attack on civil liberties', involving huge expense as yet un-costed by the government, and added, 'It is without a doubt a system the council should reject wholeheartedly."

After the meeting Councillor Gurney said, "I am delighted to have received the support of my fellow councillors in rejecting ID cards. It is vitally important that every citizen of Scotland lets Labour know that this proposal is an attack too far. This decision is the first part of the message that we are sending to the London
Government."

The motion was passed by the council, with only the Labour group voting against it.

Complete text of the motion:

North Ayrshire Council believes that this scheme will lead to a loss of civil liberties, and will not guarantee greater security for its citizens. The technology is unproven and far too complicated, and costings have yet to be calculated.

The costs for the ID Scheme have huge budget implications for the council — the implementation of ID terminals, the maintaining of these terminals and the integration of the ID software into the council [existing system] would divert funds away from essential council services.

Council believes that national ID cards should not be required to access services or benefits provided by North Ayrshire Council, and the Chief Executive of the Council will write to the Home Office informing them that North Ayrshire Council will not take part in any voluntary pilot scheme or feasibility work related to the National Identity Scheme.

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