On ID cards, the importance of the Lords and the calibre of our representatives

The Lords has defeated the government for the third time on ID cards. Expect the government to whip out their get out of jail free card (or the parliament act) as soon as they feel it appropriate. It's a real shame what's happened to the Lords because of the free and easy way the government deals this card. It no longer gives us the same level of protection that it used to, even though the act has been around for a long time. There are no longer any gasps of surprise and shock when someone speaks its name.

Charles Clarke, a very important minister and one who we might expect to be intelligent and thoughtful, told the House of Commons on Tuesday passports were "voluntary documents" that no-one was forced to renew. Honestly, if the calibre of our representatives gets any smaller we'd be hard pushed to find an effective use for them.

Driving licenses are also voluntary documents in as much as you only need them if you want to drive a car. Does he really think that the people he represents (and the rest of us) are that stupid?

Utterly corrupt in thought, respect and principle. He deserves himself and that's about it.