Poll predicts ID card revolt

A new opinion poll has suggested there is significant opposition to the government's plans to introduce identity cards.

A YouGov survey for campaign group Privacy International found that 61 per cent of the population support compulsory identity cards, but many have reservations about key elements of the draft Identity Cards Bill.

The findings contrast with an earlier MORI opinion poll that suggested public support was running at a higher level of around 80 per cent.

YouGov found that 47 per cent of the public is against the legal requirement to notify government of a change of address, while 45 per cent object to the legal requirement to inform government whenever a card is lost, stolen or damaged.

And there were predictions of widescale opposition should the government press ahead with its plans as they currently stand.

Over a quarter of those questioned claimed they would take to the streets to participate in demonstrations, while 16 per cent said they were prepared to take part in a "campaign of civil disobedience".

And six per cent of those opposed to compulsory cards said they would prefer to go to prison rather than register for a card.

"The more people hear about the government's proposals, the less they like them," said Simon Davies, director of Privacy International.

"Already, strong support for ID cards is being to melt away and opponents of the scheme are becoming more resolute and more determined. Resistance on this scale will be enough to derail the scheme."

He added that while support for ID cards is broad, support for the government's ID cards legislation is "thin and wavering".

YouGov questioned a representative sample of 2,003 electors throughout the United Kingdom between May 11 and May 13.