Change in ID Card Plans Could Put Dozens of Extra Police on Stafford Streets

Written by Cllr Barry Stamp on Sun 13th Feb 2005

Dozens of extra police officers could be put on the streets of Stafford and Penkridge if the Government were to scrap its plan to introduce a national ID card.

Barry Stamp, the Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Stafford told a meeting of members and supporters in the Haywoods that the Government were planning to spend over £3billion in the next three years trying to get the scheme off the ground.

"I believe this money will simply be wasted. The government in general, and the Home Office in particular, has an appalling track record when it comes to large-scale projects of this type which rely on complex IT systems. Already projects involving the Post Office, the Passport Office, the Probation and Police Service, the Courts and the Child Support Agency have all run massively over budget and have failed to deliver what was promised. Even if they could get the ID card scheme to work it would do little to reduce crime, illegal immigration, or prevent terrorism. Surely if the Government really wants to make a difference this money would be better spent on putting more police on our streets. It's been estimated that by scrapping ID cards 10,000 more police and 1000s of community support officers could be provided across the Country. This would mean dozens more to fight crime on the streets in Stafford and Penkridge. Having spoken to many local residents I know what they prefer, and it certainly isn't a small expensive square of plastic in their wallet or purse. They want more police on the streets now! To add insult to injury everyone will be made to pay for these cards, which I believe is just another form of hidden taxation. I strongly support the Liberal Democrat plans to oppose ID cards and will be fighting hard to ensure the money that is saved is used to provide extra police men and women in the Stafford and Penkridge areas," said Barry Stamp.