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NO2ID Scotland
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Public Opinion on ID Cards
UK Public Opinion
The Westminster Government repeatedly quotes figures of 80% in favour of National Identity Cards. That figure is disputed by independent polls that put UK wide support at 75% or lower. Even if accurate, 80% support still means that one person in five opposes the idea on principle.In fact the 80% figure is obtained by asking a simplistic question about general support for the idea. When people are told the details of the proposals then support plummets. In particular people object to the cost of the scheme (currently estimated by the Government at over £5 billion(1) but likely to rise - here in Scotland we know all about the ever-rising cost of large Government projects).
An opinion poll (2) in May 2004 showed that 6% of those opposing ID Cards would rather go to prison than register for one. That represents about one million people across the UK as a whole.
The more that people learn about David Blunkett's plans, the less they like them.
Public Opinion in Scotland
Public Opinion in Scotland is ahead of the rest of the UK in opposing the Government's plans. The 2004 "State of the Nation" survey by the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust (3) showed that in Scotland barely half of those questioned supported compulsory National Identity Cards.Once more people in Scotland become aware of the reality of the Government's proposals that figure is likely to fall even further.
Scotland doesn't want ID Cards.
Update November 2004:
The results of the Home Office's own public consultation have now been released
showing that across the UK as a whole support for ID Cards has plummeted. Only 31% of us support the
plans with 48% opposing them. (4)
References:
(1) FT.com report
(2) A Nation Divided
(3) State of the Nation Poll 2004 Executive Summary (pdf)
(4) Scotsman report
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