Dear Kerry McCarthy,

I am writing ahead of the second reading of the ID Cards bill on 28th
June 2005.

I am deeply concerned over the ID Card and National Identity Register
scheme on several levels.

First: I find none of the arguments made by the Home Office in favour
of the cards convincing; the particular law and order issues for which
the cards are held up as a panacea seem to change regularly and the
exact details as to just how this system will really help are never
made clear.

Second: I am apprehensive about having the highly personal data that
will be asked of us placed into a centralised database managed by the
state when it has an arguably dismal record in implementing ambitious
IT-based projects.

Third: I feel that this scheme, should it go ahead, will mark a
fundamental change in the nature of the relationship in our country
between the individual and the state.  Instead of individuals being
citizens for whom the state acts, we will become subjects who must
justify ourselves and our claims to the state.	The balance between
individual rights and state power is tipping too far towards the state,
with little or no obvious benefit to the individual to compensate for
the cost, both monetary and in terms of our civil liberties.

So to summarise:  not only do I have grave misgivings about the
implementation and real-world benefits of this scheme, I believe it to
be fundamentally inappropriate for the British political environment.

In light of my concerns over this issue, I am asking that you consider
voting against the Bill at its second reading.	If you feel unable to
do this, please at least consider absenting yourself from the vote. 
Can I also ask that if you oppose the scheme you consider signing Early
Day Motion 263 against ID Cards.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours sincerely,

Sam Pearson