ID cards bill, 3rd reading tomorrow

It's getting close, and when you read this article, it's easy to wonder how on earth the bill has got this far.

Rather than reducing crime, the scheme will generate a new criminal industry devoted to stealing and forging ID cards, rather as Prohibition created a huge criminal bootlegging fraternity; for criminals are entrepreneurs and as soon as something is turned into a marketable commodity — in this case, identities — they will seek to profit from it. Forged cards might not fool forensic experts, but in most cases they will not be recognised by bank clerks and shop assistants, so their effect on fraud will be minor.

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