Blair makes fresh bid to promote ID cards

Tony Blair has insisted that people will soon rely on identity cards in all aspects of ordinary life, from shopping online to obtaining a mortgage, as he announced a fresh attempt to sell the scheme to the public.

Legislation establishing ID cards, which are strongly opposed by the Tories and Liberal Democrats, became law seven months ago.

At a Downing Street conference yesterday Mr Blair fired the first shot in a drive to persuade voters of the merits of the cards, which will be issued from 2008. He put a new emphasis on the benefits to consumers of carrying ID cards in obtaining goods and services.