ID card mandarins

So the curtains that have been shrouding the ID debate are opened a little further.

The identity cards saga has, according to critics, now assumed all the characteristics of a classic Whitehall farce.

Labour opponents of the bill claim it was originally cooked up by over-zealous Home Office mandarins who have long wanted to extend the power of the state.

Former Home Office minister Kate Hoey said: ” I know having been through the Home Office in 1998-99 that it was always something that the officials were pushing.”

She added: “It was always floating around even then. Home Office officials have been very keen to bring it up. They are not happy unless they are interfering in our lives.”

When David Blunkett arrived in the job, he enthusiastically seized upon the idea as an antidote to post 9/11 paranoia. However, even supporters of the plans now admit that the government has failed to make a clear case for the cards.

An antidote to paranoia? Whose paranoia? Since when did spending a hundred quatrillion pounds become a reasonable and responsible way of looking like you are doing something?

You know, I never thought I'd say this but I really miss the old fashioned style of politician. The kind that would get up, spout some eloquent and quotable utter nonsense and then go home for a couple of drinks instead of doing anything very much at all. They were so cheap.

Posted by John at August 8, 2005 09:11 AM | TrackBack