Politics
Labour Dismisses Blair’s Digital ID Proposal Amid Migration Control Debate
Labour dismisses Blair's proposal for electronic ID cards to reduce immigration
Shortly after Sir Keir Starmer assumed leadership, his predecessor reiterated his support for electronic ID cards as a means to manage immigration more effectively.
Political journalist @fayebrownSky
Sunday, July 7, 2024, 12:
The recently elected Labour administration has decided against implementing digital ID cards, despite former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair advocating for the initiative as a method to manage immigration.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds informed Sky News that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper would consider "all sources of advice" regarding the matter.
However, individuals familiar with Ms. Cooper's views clarified that ID cards are not part of Labour's agenda, a stance that remains unchanged. Mr. Reynolds also subsequently confirmed that they were not being considered.
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During his tenure, Sir Tony strongly advocated for the implementation of ID cards, but the initiative was abandoned once Labour was ousted from power in 2010.
In an article for The Sunday Times, the ex-prime minister stated, "A strategy to manage immigration is essential. Without regulations, biases emerge."
During my tenure, I was convinced that the optimal approach was to implement an identity system, ensuring clear identification of those authorized to be present.
"In light of ongoing technological advancements, it's imperative that we transition to digital IDs to keep pace with global trends. Otherwise, we'll need to implement extremely stringent border controls."
When questioned on whether Labour supports this proposal, Mr. Reynolds informed Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning that Ms. Cooper "will consider all types of guidance on this matter."
"He added, 'But I would simply state that we support the points-based immigration system.'"
"We faced tough choices, especially regarding our belief that legal migration levels were excessively high. I believe they need to be reduced once more."
When questioned about the identification problem, he mentioned that Ms. Cooper and her colleagues in the home affairs department will be exploring various options.
"He refrained from speculating about their potential actions," he further stated.
Mr. Reynolds subsequently informed Times Radio, "We can dismiss that idea; it's not included in our plans."
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Sir Tony stepped in just over two days following Sir Keir Starmer's inauguration as the first Labour prime minister in nearly a decade and a half.
He praised Sir Keir for orchestrating "the most extraordinary revival in recent British political history" following the party's significant triumph at the elections on Thursday.
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He also cautioned that despite the significant electoral victories, there was evident indication that numerous voters were more intent on penalizing the Tories rather than commending Labour.
When questioned whether Sir Tony was essentially criticizing Labour for lacking a strategy on legal migration, Mr Reynolds pointed out that Sir Tony only touched on the issue briefly in a lengthy 1,500-word article, noting, "the policies we proposed during the election are exactly what the nation requires," including changes to apprenticeships aimed at addressing the skills shortage.
When questioned about whether the ex-prime minister's involvement was detrimental, he responded, "I don’t believe anything is detrimental. Naturally, when you’re a new administration, you look towards individuals who have previously held roles in government."
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Sir Keir elevated several Blair-era figures to his shadow cabinet last year and mentioned that he had frequent discussions with his predecessor prior to the election to benefit from his insights on gearing up for leadership in 1997.
Just as in the past, the Labour Party achieved an overwhelming win, concluding over a decade of Conservative rule—18 years back in 1997 and 14 years in the current instance.
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Comparisons are frequently made between Sir Keir's leadership of the Labour Party and Sir Tony's, noting how both shifted towards the political center to revive Labour from a precarious position.
Nonetheless, Sir Keir and his senior colleagues have emphasized the contrast in circumstances handed down to them, compared to those at the start of the 2000s, noting the current Labour administration is confronted with far more complex challenges.
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