In my traditional contrarian style . . .

What are the issues regarding identity cards. I think there are two main ones that the 'pro' lobby would state:

(i) Stops identity fraud
We work in the IT industry. We know it's forgable, we know whatever security arrangements they put in place it will be cracked. Not through some super-human mathematical combinatorical effort, but because the system is put in place by fallable human beings. If you accept that, then you must agree that Identity cards are dangerous; once it's cracked it will be accepted across the world as a valid indicator of identity - identity fraud at it's best, because no-one will question it.

(ii) Helps prevent terrorism
Does it? Germany have identity cards and it still has not helped the authorities bring all of those people involved in the terrorist cell that flew planes into the World Trade Centre to justice; and it certainly didn't help prevent the atrocity. Spain have identity cards - terrorists still blew up Madrid, and the arrests again have been rather shortcoming for such an international effort. As an aside - the UK appears to have been one of the most successful nations at rooting out terrrorists and preventing them from executing their plans and we do not currently have identity cards.

So I ask: what is right with identity cards? What problem do they solve?

(I've set aside the issue that govt expect us to pay for them, make them compulsory - with no means test, too! So the poorest will be paying around two weeks benefit money in order to comply with the law)