Poll shows a quarter of UK Population strongly oppose ID Cards

9.00.00am GMT Sat 9th Feb 2008

The number of people strongly opposed to the introduction of a national identity card scheme has risen sharply, according to the results of an ICM poll. The poll shows that 25% of the public are deeply opposed to the idea, raising the prospect that the potential number of those likely to refuse to register for the card has risen. Overall, 50% of people are against the idea of ID cards and 47% are in favour. The survey also shows that the majority British people say they are "uncomfortable" with the idea that personal data provided to the Government for one purpose should be shared between all Whitehall-run public services.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne said "Public opinion is moving sharply away from the Government's ID card scheme the more people understand how intrusive it is, and the more they see that officials are unable to keep confidential and personal data secure. These polling figures are a body blow to the Government's hopes of introducing ID cards and the associated personal database."