WRITTEN ON June 2nd, 2005 BY William Heath AND STORED IN Uncategorized

Full marks to my new local MP Jeremy Hunt* for his extremely prompt and courteous reply by email to my own rambling missive to him on the ID system (sent via writetothem.com)** – see below.
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Dear William

Thank you for your long and helpful letter. Like you I have severe reservations about the ID cards bill. I am not at all sure it will be really effective in reducing crime, particularly if they are not made compulsory. I also feel they are a bit of a red herring in terms of the best ways to tackle crime. There are many tried and tested ways to reduce crime (getting rid of police bureaucracy, more transparent sentencing, zero tolerance, compulsory drug rehabilitation etc) which do not require ID cards.

I note with interest your points about the potentially flawed science and discrimination issues, and the failure of the proposed ID cards to deal with online security.

I haven’t yet decided the role I will play in the debate, but I am most grateful to you for your helpful advice.

Best wishes

Jeremy

*thanks Jeremy
**thanks to all at the collective – you know who you are.