Tony Blair slammed for turning UK into ‘surveillance state’ with digital ID cards plot

Britain is in danger of becoming a “surveillance state” if digital IDs are rolled out, a former Conservative party chairman warned as Tony Blair’s think tank pushed for their introduction.

Sir Keir Starmer is widely expected back digital IDs in a bid to crack down on illegal working and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change has called for a new “superapp”. It claims this could close loopholes exploited by trafficking gangs, cut down on identity fraud and help people with everyday tasks, such as reporting potholes or missed bin collections.

However, there is intense concern and a petition against digital ID cards has won more than 112,000 signatures.

Sir Jake Berry, a former Conservative chairman who now supports Reform UK, said: “This policy is not about border security. It is about expanding state power and quietly removing the freedoms we cherish as Britons.

“The British state consistently rewards incompetence and cannot be trusted to manage the personal data of every citizen in one central database.

“A country where every action and decision is tracked is not the Britain we know. We must reject this surveillance state before it is too late.”

Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, also voiced opposition, saying: “Big Government cannot be trusted with digital IDs. Through the implementation of the Online Safety Act which is having a chilling effect on free speech, the Government has already proven that they cannot be trusted with these sorts of powers.

“We all want Government to use technology to deliver better & faster public services. That does not need digital IDs, just competence.”

The Tony Blair Institute has released research which claims when people were shown the potential impact of digital ID 62% supported the idea with just 19% opposed.

Alexander Iosad, director of government innovation at the think tank, said: “After years of decline in public services, Britons are looking for common sense solutions to make the state work for them.

“They don’t want to spend hours navigating opaque systems or wrangling paperwork just to get the services they are entitled to.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has also signalled he may not oppose proposals to bring in digital ID, telling his party he did not “think we should be against increasing people’s freedom to life”.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to using tech to make it easier for people to interact with the state, learning from other countries on how best to deliver this for citizens. Millions of Britons already use digital services through e-visas and the NHS app – and we’ll be introducing [the] ‘GOVUK Wallet’ in the coming months, allowing users to securely store Government-issued documents on their phone and use them easily when needed.

“We will look at any serious proposals that would help people access public services, including digital ID.”