The energised efforts from former Prime Minister Tony Blair for the introduction of digital ID cards were shot down by the new Labour government.
Writing for The Sunday Times, Blair continued his push for digital ID cards, a plan that he is cited as being crucial for a significant period of time; the former Prime Minister described the cards as part of a ‘technological revolution’.
Blair had cited the impact they could have on immigration, however they would also be a monumental shift for KYC practices in the UK. Nonetheless, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasised that they were not in the party’s manifesto and it will take a different approach.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds went a step further and ruled out the potential implementation of digital ID cards, confirming them as something the current government won’t explore.
In spite of the quick dismissal of the plans from Labour, YouGov polls reveal that there is a receptiveness from UK voters to accept digital ID cards.
The latest polls from the group revealed that 56 per cent support the plans as opposed to 25 per cent which oppose. These polls took place in June.
When Blair was previously in power, his government had pursued digital ID cards, however, they were later abolished by the coalition government that replaced the Labour party’s tenure in 2011.
It comes as the gambling sector awaits its fate when it comes to the implementation of White Paper recommendations, with the DCMS embarking on a period of personal change from the Labour government.
Lisa Nandy was appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and will oversee some of the key developments in the sector. It’s a move that was welcomed by the UK Gambling Commission, with it stating: “As Keir Starmer appoints his team, we’ll welcome our incoming ministers and work closely with them in the coming months and years to make gambling safer, fairer and crime-free in Britain.”