Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been accused of having no direction and blowing around like a 'plastic bag in the wind' after executing another major policy reversal, this time on mandatory digital identity cards.
A Dramatic Change of Heart
Downing Street confirmed yesterday that the Prime Minister has abandoned plans to make the controversial digital ID initiative compulsory. This marks the 13th significant U-turn of his 18-month premiership. The policy, announced with considerable fanfare just three months ago, was intended to crack down on illegal working, with proposals suggesting children as young as 13 might need one for a Saturday job.
The decision was seized upon by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch during a fiery Prime Minister's Questions. While welcoming the scrapping of what she called a 'rubbish policy', Badenoch launched a scathing attack on Sir Keir's leadership. 'The reason why he U-turns all the time is because he is clueless,' she declared. 'He is blowing around like a plastic bag in the wind, with no sense of direction whatsoever.'
Disquiet on the Labour Benches
The latest reversal has triggered dismay and frustration within the Prime Minister's own party. Labour insiders have suggested Sir Keir is pursuing a strategy of 'getting the barnacles off the boat' by ditching unpopular policies to focus squarely on the cost of living ahead of the 2026 election.
However, senior figures are openly critical. Lord Blunkett, a long-time supporter of digital ID cards, said he was 'disappointed but not surprised' by the U-turn. The former home secretary told the BBC the government had lacked a 'strategic plan' to sell the policy, allowing critics to fill the vacuum.
Labour MP Karl Turner, who is campaigning against plans to curb jury trials, voiced the anger of many colleagues. 'We are sick and fed up of defending stuff that was not in the manifesto,' he said, adding they were 'getting cheesed off about being marched up hills on surprise policies that simply cannot work.'
Pressure Mounts for Further Reversals
With pressure growing on the Prime Minister to also change course on plans to scrap jury trials and extend business rates relief, Number 10 refused to rule out further U-turns. When asked if the digital ID card was the final 'barnacle' to be removed, a spokesman would only state: 'The PM is focused on delivering on the cost of living. That is what the priority is for 2026.'
The blizzard of policy shifts is causing unease at the highest levels of government. Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned this week that Labour needed to start 'getting it right first time', while Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the government had to 'get better at explaining our policies'.
Amid the turmoil, Sir Keir is reported to be increasingly drawing inspiration from former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, with one senior Labour figure noting that party leaders are now 'taking his calls and doing what he wants.' In contrast, it is suggested that Tony Blair has 'basically given up on Keir'.
Despite the U-turn, Number 10 insisted that digital ID could eventually 'transform' access to public services, though officials could not explain why other forms of ID could not continue to be used for government services. The government also confirmed it would not allow 'other forms' of digital ID to prove eligibility to work in the UK.
