Comfort and joy
21 December 2004
Hot questions
The last Monday before Christmas found the House of Commons debating Identity Cards. As this is a subject that always generates a great deal of heat and light it seemed a singularly appropriate one for the second shortest day of the year.
But I do not think that the new Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, will remember the day as short. It must have seemed like one of the longest of his life.
Less than a week into the job he had to face an hour of questioning by MPs on his new departmental responsibilities as soon as the Commons opened for business. This would be hard under normal circumstances. But he had to do this with his powerful predecessor, David Blunkett, sitting on the backbenches behind him.
Mr Clarke fielded the questions with aplomb. But then came his next test. An Urgent Question on last week’s decision by the Law Lord’s to uphold the most recent appeal by terrorism suspects held in London’s Belmarsh Prison for the past three years without trial. This, despite the fact that such detention is allowed under Britain’s Anti-Terrorism Laws, passed in the wake of September 11th.
I should know. I voted for them. But now I wish that we had inserted time limits. In mitigation, I thought that the powers the Act conferred would be used rarely and for very short periods. In retrospect, I was naïve. Such powers are too great. They permit abuse. I saw it in South Africa and I should have known better.
That is why I will do all I can to encourage the new Home Secretary to limit them when he returns to the subject in the New Year.
Identity crisis
But back to Mr Clarke’s longest day. With Home Office Questions and Belmarsh out of the way Mr Clarke got an hour’s break whilst the Prime Minister reported back on the European meetings he had had over the weekend. Then it was back to the fray.
Identity cards, like almost everything else the Home Office is responsible for, arouse strong feelings. They could be a real force for good. They will, undoubtedly, make it easier for public sector workers to decide who is, and who is not, entitled to access the nation’s public services and benefit systems. They will also help shopkeepers identify those old enough to be sold drink, tobacco and glue.
Like the anti-terrorist legislation, identity cards give the state enormous power. In the wrong hands, they could become instruments of repression. This, far more than the cost of introducing the biometric type of card demanded by modern security systems, gave me pause. But, after a few minutes thought, I realised that the communication devices in my pockets – a pager and a mobile telephone – were far more powerful tracking devices than any plastic card. However, their powers paled into insignificance when compared to the communication device in my handbag - a mobile e-mail device known as a Blackberry. This four-inch square piece of plastic contains more information on me and my life than any card ever could.
That is why, in the end, like Mr Clarke, I decide that the benefits of identity cards far out weigh the possible costs. I hope that, in years to come, I do not regret this decision.
Festive pause
Mr Clarke’s longest day ended with a series of votes at 10pm. He won them all comfortably. The whips were in festive mood. The recess was nigh.
Perhaps that is why they stood in front of the teller’s desks and encouraged us through the lobbies with cries of “This is your last chance to vote Labour this year” and “Get your annual voting average up here”.
The second reading of the Identity Card Bill was, indeed MPs last chance to vote in 2004. Parliament recessed on Tuesday after the Christmas adjournment debate. We meet again on January 10th 2005.
I will be recessing this column until then too. But, before I go, I would like us all to spare a thought for those who have to work throughout the festive season. They deserve our thanks, admiration and all the help we can give them.
Priceless gifts
I would particularly like to mention the two dozen public-spirited men and women of Stevenage who give twenty-five hours of their free time every month to help keep our town safe.
They are members of the Special Constabulary and they do this invaluable work for love, not money. Without them Stevenage would be a far less pleasant and safe place to live in. They are an example to us all.
I wish them, and you, all the very best for the festive season.
Barbara Follett MP
