Blackburn passport base to process new ID cards (From Blackburn Citizen)
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Blackburn passport base to process new ID cards
10:36am Wednesday 16th December 2009 in News
BLACKBURN’S passport office will be used to process applications for controversial ID cards, it has been announced.
The Government has chosen the town’s control centre, in Ainsworth Street, to handle forms from February.
From next month, people in Lancashire will join those in Greater Manchester in being able to apply for ID cards.
However, despite the announcement by Home Secretary Alan Johnson, the Home Office said it could not confirm how many jobs it would create at the Blackburn office.
And the move was cautiously welcomed by Blackburn with Darwen Council leader and Conservative Mike Lee.
Nationally, the Tories have argued that ID cards are a needless and costly, and would not make Britain any safer.
Coun Lee said: “I am no great supporter of ID cards but if the Home Office is going to create new jobs in Blackburn, I will take them.
“I don’t see ID cards as being worth the expense involved because we have already got a good pass-port system.
“However, if it has to happen, I would rather this proc-essing happens in Blackburn than elsewhere.”
From next month, East Lancashire residents will be able to get the non-compulsory ID cards for £30 following a month-long trial in Greater Manchester.
The Government says the cards will improve border security and allow British citizens to travel in the EU without a passport.
This week, Mr Johnson told the House of Commons ID cards would be launched in Blackburn to ‘great public enthusiasm’.
Jack Straw, Blackburn MP, said he would be among the first people to apply for one of the cards.
He said: “The office will be of great convenience to people in the town.
“I will get one because it will be more convenient than a passport when I travel in Europe.”
A Home Office spokeswoman said she could not say how many new jobs would be created at Blackburn’s passport office by the ID card rollout.
Comments(7)
jakey30
says...
12:09pm Wed 16 Dec 09
Dogsbolloxs
says...
12:18pm Wed 16 Dec 09
Mike
says...
12:19pm Wed 16 Dec 09
Davidoff
says...
3:10pm Wed 16 Dec 09
The ID card isn't foolproof and to many it has ulterior motives behind it.
Sorry, but the 'if you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing fear' thing will not wash in this instance!
Also, are MPs going to be asked for the same as the rest of us when applying for an ID card? If not, why not? The majority of MPs have proven time and time again how dishonest they are so the question now should be - why should we trust them now?
The lure here by the government is 'you will be able to travel' etc. WHY do WE have to pay to prove our own ID? Why aren't these cards being issued freely to the countries own citizens? Another little tax earner for the government and I am afraid the majority out there will just sleep walk into this, exactly like everything else without fully understanding where it all may lead.
What if you can't afford the ID card, what then? Imprisoned? Fine. But I expect plenty illegals - already in the country - will just find a way round this system; like they have obviously done so around working here illegally, obtaining housing. The difference being they won't be deported but kept in a detention centre for donkey's years at expense. So what will happen to a UK person if they 'forget' or can't afford this card? Put it into further perspective, you can be imprisoned for not paying council tax or your TV licence so what will happen if you don't have your ID card when asked or stopped for it? I can easily see some certain sections of society being targetted in the community and repeatedly being stopped just to see if the ones asking can arrest them or fine them.
You need to ask yourself where all this ultimately leads. Is it good or bad for everyone?
Lifeinthemix
says...
5:03pm Wed 16 Dec 09
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Heading into total fascism...tick....to
ck
bwithd
says...
3:31pm Fri 25 Dec 09
too
lostforwords says...
11:30am Wed 16 Dec 09