Digital ID MP Reply

 

I have had a reply to a letter I sent to my Member of Parliament about my concerns over Digital ID:
 
Dear Ben,
Thank you for taking the time to share your views on digital ID. I take the points you raise very seriously. I am sorry for the delay in responding to you.
It is important that any system of digital ID takes people's legitimate concerns on board. For example, it must ensure that the highest data security standards are followed, because I agree with you about the importance of respecting privacy. The Government has given a commitment that privacy will be put first at every step. This will be achieved through encryption and authentication, and by decentralising data storage.
I am pleased the Government has confirmed use of the proposed new digital ID will not be compulsory. People will be able to use alternative forms of ID such as a biometric passport to prove they have the right to work in the UK if they have reservations about the new system. I think this is the right approach. I believe it is also possible to pursue digital ID in a manner which empowers citizens, as shown by the vibrant democracies where people embraced it, such as in Estonia and Finland. I note those countries have placed their citizens' consent at the centre of the system, and that is what I want to see happen here in the UK.
Technology has changed the way we interact with each other and with public services. The new digital ID is intended to give people the option of a modern way to prove who they are, and to help them access services online more easily. In this sense, a digital ID will be no different to having a passport or driving licence. Additionally, it concerns me that too many people are currently unable to prove their identity and face exclusion from services, such as the 1 in 10 British citizens who do not have a photo ID. Digital ID could help to address such exclusion.
A public consultation on the proposed digital ID scheme is now open and will close on 5 May 2026. I appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns with me and strongly encourage you to submit your views. It is important to me that the new digital ID is inclusive, secure, and empowering, and I will continue to carefully consider all constituents' views as the programme develops.
Kind regards,
Anneliese Dodds MP
 
I am dismayed by this response, but hardly surprised. Mzzzzzzzzz Dodds is after all a former member of the EU parliament and was also Shadow women and equalities minister, or should I say "Women!" and "Equalities!" minister? She is virtually the textbook perfection of what a modern centre left Starmerista politician should be. No wonder she was put in one of the safest Labour seats in England. Despite her rigmarole of stately diplomacy and olive branch reaching out, it is pretty clear she has a positive opinion of the proposed digital ID system and explains her reasons. I comprehensively discredit each and every one of them in the background links below. Anneliese shares my approval that digital ID shall not be compulsory without addressing the point that once the infrastructure is in place the rules can then be easily changed. We must stop the entire scheme altogether to be safe. I do feel positive about this, because of the MP's debate, see link below. Starmer's power is clearly waning and this is just the latest in a series of climb-downs he's been forced into. They will lose the original bill in the Commons. This doesn't mean they'll give up. We must not let our guard down! Do continue to resist in whatever way you can.
See here for background: https://hpanwo-voice.blogspot.com/2025/10/id-petition-response-omissions-and.html.
And: https://hpanwo-voice.blogspot.com/2025/12/mp-digital-id-debate.html.