Government breaks pledge on voluntary ID Cards

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 14th Feb 2006

The Government made a pledge at the election to introduce voluntary identity cards. They have broken that pledge by linking passports to ID Cards. The only way in which people will be able to opt out of the system is by giving up their right to travel abroad.

Only 20 Labour MPs joined with the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in the opposition lobby and the Lords amendment was rejected by a majority of 31.