More than 1.6 million people have signed a petition opposing the Labour government’s plan to introduce digital ID cards in the UK by 2029, sparking a major civil liberties debate.
The petition argues that “no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system,” describing the proposal as a dangerous step toward mass surveillance and digital control.
Petitions that cross 100,000 signatures are usually considered for debate in parliament, but critics point out that such campaigns rarely change government policy. A previous petition calling for Brexit to be reversed attracted more than six million signatures with little impact.
Government Push for Digital ID Cards
Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the move on Friday, calling digital ID “an enormous opportunity for the UK.” He said the system would strengthen border control, reduce illegal migration, and give ordinary citizens faster access to key services.
“A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands,” Starmer said. “Digital ID will make it tougher to work illegally in this country while also making life easier for British citizens, who won’t have to rely on utility bills or paperwork to prove their identity.”
The government has branded the scheme the “Brit Card,” promising it will modernize identification while offering “countless benefits” to the public.
Civil Liberties Groups Raise Alarm
Civil rights campaigners have voiced strong opposition. Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, warned that digital ID cards would make Britain “less free” and risk creating a mass surveillance state.
She cautioned that the system could expand beyond citizenship checks into taxation, health records, benefits, and even internet use, leaving citizens’ sensitive data exposed to cyber-attacks.
1.6 Million Oppose Keir Starmer’s Digital ID Plan
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy insisted the government had “no intention of pursuing a dystopian mess,” stressing that safeguards would be put in place.
However, opposition leaders across the spectrum rejected the plan. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said her party would resist “any attempt to impose mandatory ID cards on law-abiding citizens.” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage branded it an “anti-British card,” writing in the Daily Express that the system would fail to stop illegal migration while expanding state control.
The debate over digital ID cards is expected to intensify in the coming months as the government pushes forward with its proposals and public resistance grows.
