PROPOSALS to make people in North Somerset carry national identity cards will be opposed by councillors. Almost every North Somerset councillor voted to resist Government plans to introduce the cards in the district at a meeting this week. The Government
PROPOSALS to make people in North Somerset carry national identity cards will be opposed by councillors.Almost every North Somerset councillor voted to resist Government plans to introduce the cards in the district at a meeting this week.The Government wants everyone in Britain to carry the cards so it can tackle problems such as terrorism, identity theft and benefit fraud.But the authority voted to oppose the plans after a motion was put forward by councillors Mike Bell and Tom Leimdorfer at the council's annual meeting.They believe the cards are an intrusion of privacy and the Government's reasons for introducing them do not stack up.Councillors agreed to make sure people in the district do not have to use the cards to access council services or benefits, unless a law is passed requiring them to do so.They also resolved to write to the Home Secretary and tell him the authority is prepared to fight the changes.However, the majority of councillors voted against joining forces with pressure group No2ID to campaign against the plans.
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