Lib Dem MP celebrates government climb-down on ID cards

12.44.38pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 2nd Jul 2009

The government U-turn on ID cards has been welcomed by Lewes MP Norman Baker who has campaigned against the scheme, and the Lib Dems have called for the rest of the plan to be scrapped.

Norman Baker says: "The Lib Dems have always opposed the expensive and ineffective ID cards scheme. With the Labour government in free-fall, they have finally had to admit that these cards are illiberal, will not work, and come at a ridiculous price-tag, particularly during the recession. Now the government must scrap the remainder of the scheme - including the National Identity Register which will hold 49 bits of information on each individual."

"This money would be far better spent on something that will actually fight crime and terrorism - ten thousand more police on the street."

The Lib Dems have opposed the ID cards scheme since its inception while the Conservatives have flip-flopped on the issue.