Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to introduce digital identity cards for all UK citizens, claiming the scheme presents 'an enormous opportunity' to enhance border security and enable public service reform. Speaking at the Global Progress Action Summit, Starmer argued that the cards would help counter populist narratives and modernise the state.
The proposal has triggered a surge of opposition, with an online parliamentary petition against digital ID cards attracting over 1.1 million signatures. The petition, which has been live since June, gained more than 600,000 names in a single day after reports that Starmer was about to confirm the policy. While petitions with over 100,000 signatures trigger a debate in Westminster Hall, such efforts have historically had little impact on government decision-making.
Criticism has emerged from both opposition parties and within Labour's own ranks. Labour MP Ian Byrne posted on social media: 'Of all the worthy policies Labour could be promoting, they choose this. Deeply unpopular among my constituents and with good reason. I will not be supporting this & will do all I can to ensure it does not become law.' However, Cabinet Office minister Darren Jones defended the plan, stating: 'If we get this digital ID system working and the public being with us, that will be the bedrock of the modern state and will allow for really quite exciting public service reform in the future.'
In his speech, Starmer also urged progressive politicians to directly confront the 'lies' used by populists and counter their 'industrialised infrastructure of grievance', in remarks seen as a thinly veiled criticism of Donald Trump's rhetoric.
