Downing Street Says

Asked the point of ID cards if they were not compulsory, the PMOS said that the situation over the next period would be evolutionary. The first question, which we had been addressing since last November, was how to tackle logistical problems and to do so as quickly as possible, hence the introduction of voluntary cards in 2007/8. After that, the next question would be whether Parliament would approve compulsion – on a Government recommendation on the basis of a report. This fitted into the timescale as outlined last November.

Put to him that the Government wanted the credit for being seen to crack down on migrant problems without actually taking a decision on ID cards, the PMOS said that he would disagree. The misapprehension under which the journalist was labouring was that anyone could introduce an ID card system overnight. That was impossible. This was a very complicated issue and would take time to deliver, hence the timescale as set out last November. That was why we starting off with a pilot scheme and working forwards from there.

Asked if the Prime Minister was satisfied that Ministers supported the policy, the PMOS said yes. Asked if he was confident that he would have the support of Scotland and Wales, the PMOS said that he would work with the devolved Governments in Scotland and Wales to explain the benefits of what we were doing. Asked the position regarding Irish citizens, the PMOS said that the situation remained unchanged.

1 Comment »

"Asked if the Prime Minister was satisfied that Ministers supported the policy, the PMOS said yes"…

So even though he plainly DOESN’T have the support of his ministers, he says he does. This seems to be incontrovertible evidence that to the PM, no means yes and yes means no (apart from when it suits him, of course…)

But GOOD NEWS for the government!!! I, yes me personally, have discovered a way to allow the introduction of the perfect IS system. It is actually very simple once you think about it.

All they have to do is send someone round each and every dwelling in the country, starting in, say, Cornwall, and working methodically northwards, and record the DNA of every single man, woman and child they come across, forcibly if necessary. Then, to make sure people don’t move around and confuse the issue, the government could issue a total ban on ALL travel for, say, a year (well, it’s going to take some time), and promise life imprisonment (or the death sentence, depending on distance travelled) for anyone who disobeys.

That way, it shouldn’t take them more than a year or so to get everyones DNA into a database, and voila! Piece of cake.

On a more serious (but still ironic) note; wouldn’t it be great if compulsory ID cards were introduced in England but Scotland and Wales refused?!?! Now that WOULD be a laugh…
Comment by PapaLazzzaru — 27 Apr 2004 on 3:36 pm | Link

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» Monday, April 26, 2004

ID Cards

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