Why is the National Identity Scheme so bad?
There are many different answers to this question because the scheme will change so many things about our relationship with the government and private companies. The main NO2ID site has a lot of information and also has links to other organisations that are concerned about related issues.
Why is the National Identity Scheme interesting for expats?
The first ID interrogation centres will soon be opening in the UK. From April the first interviews will take place with people who are applying for a new passport. These interviews will be more like criminal interrogations in their scope and invasiveness, and all of the information collected will be added to the National Identity Register where it will be kept indefinitely. Over time this database will become the hub of a surveillance system that tracks the movements and behaviour of every person in the UK, dramatically changing the relationship between the government and the citizens that elect it.
Although we will probably not be subjected to the same in-depth interviews in the short term there no reason to believe that this will remain the case indefinitely. For those of us with family and friends still in the UK this should still be something to be worried about NOW because this is already happening.