Poll shows big drop in support for ID cards

Plans to introduce identity cards have suffered a serious setback with the publication of a poll which discovered rising public hostility to the scheme.

Plans to introduce identity cards have suffered a serious setback with the publication of a poll which discovered rising public hostility to the scheme.

The number of voters backing the move has slumped from more than 80 per cent to 55 per cent in six months, according to the survey of 1,010 voters by ICM Research released yesterday. The number of opponents has more than doubled to 43 per cent.

The rebuff came two weeks after the Government reintroduced the ID Cards Bill, which it had to put aside as time ran out before the last election.

Ministers argue that the measure is essential to combat identity fraud, terrorism and fraudulent use of public services. They have also insisted that a clear majority of voters back it.

ICM found in December that 81 per cent of voters supported the scheme and just 17 per cent thought it was a bad idea.

But the new survey, commissioned by No2ID, found backing slumped when the public were reminded that the cost of a combined passport and ID card could be £93. A total of 55 per cent believed it was a good idea, against 43 per cent who opposed it.

Anti-ID card campaigners have argued that support for the cards would haemorrhage once the cost and civil liberties implications became better known.

Phil Booth, No2ID national co-ordinator, said: "The Government knows from international experience that public support for ID cards falls drastically as people discover more about them, which is why they have been so eager to steamroller the legislation through Parliament."

Mark Oaten, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said: "The Government [can] continue with this flawed project until 80 per cent of the public turn against it, or abandon it now."

A Home Office spokesman said: "Research we have carried out indicates a far higher majority of the public are in favour."