The absence of internal passports or identity documents was until recently considered one of the integral features of long-standing British democracy. Documents certifying the identity of the holder were not introduced in Britain even during World War II. Moreover, no civil servant could demand the presentation of such a document, and in its absence, detain a person until his identity was established.
Everything changed in the summer of last year, after the terrorist attacks of 7 July in London. Prime Minister Tony Blair promised that 'from now on the rules of the game are changing,' and they did change. From now on, every Briton, when travelling abroad, will, along with a regular passport, also obtain an identity card that will in fact serve as an internal passport. In addition to a photograph, this card contains a chip with biometric information about the owner - in particular, fingerprints. All information contained on the card can be checked through a single computer database. According to the British government's calculations, by 2013, 80% of Britons will have received the cards.
The parliamentary opposition - the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats - opposed the bill, pointing out that the introduction of identity cards is a violation of citizens' right to privacy. Surprisingly, 20 parliamentarians representing the ruling Labour Party joined the opposition. In the British press, this situation was given the catchy name 'passport revolt'.
Tony Blair, addressing parliamentarians on the eve of the vote, assured that 'the new identity cards do not pose a threat to civil liberties; the cards will help solve problems that today are much more acute.' Among such problems, Blair particularly highlighted illegal immigration, as well as the fight against organised crime and the threat of terrorism. 'Problems with the introduction of cards will arise not for law-abiding citizens, but for criminals using fake or stolen documents,' noted Tony Blair.
The bill approved by the House of Commons was sent for ratification to the upper house of parliament. Shadow Home Secretary of the Liberal Democrat faction, Alistair Carmichael, assured all his constituents that 'in the House of Lords, the fight against the introduction of identity cards will continue.' In particular, the opposition MP suggested that members of the upper house would introduce an amendment to the bill under which Britons would have the right to refuse to receive the new, unfamiliar documents.