No identity crisis

I’m amazed that once again there are calls for the reintroduction of ID cards (your report, 26 April). For it is only eight years since the new Conservative/ Lib Dem Coalition Government abolished ID cards as a top priority “to get rid of Tony Blair’s ‘Big Brother State’.”

And now people are suggesting that we really do need ID cards after all, this time supposedly to resolve immigration issues in the wake of the Windrush scandal.

However, immigration problems seem to occur in every country, regardless of whether or not they have ID cards. The main problem with ID cards is not, of course, the cards themselves, but with the “database state” or “Big Brother State” which they invariably bring in their wake. And this can give the state enormous power over its citizens. Of all people in society, politicians are, unfortunately, regarded as some of the least trustworthy. So who would be so foolish as to hand over enormous power to them? For that sto ry can have a most unhappy ending.

The UK has abolished National ID cards twice: in 1952 as well as in 2010. So how many times must it be repeated that mandatory ID cards are not wanted here?

(DR) JOHN WELFORD

Boat Green, Edinburgh