Massive Petition Hits Starmer: Two Million Oppose ID Card Proposal

Over 2.1 million people have now signed a petition calling on Sir Keir Starmer to ditch plans for digital ID cards. The petition reached the two million mark just days after the Prime Minister announced on Friday that a new mandatory ID system for UK workers will be introduced by 2029.

​As Labour kicks off its annual conference in Liverpool, the Prime Minister faces fresh backlash. The Government says the new digital ID system, delivered via a mobile app, will crack down on illegal immigration by making it harder to work in the UK without proper status. Critics of the idea, however, warn that it represents a major expansion of state control and further argue it won’t stop small boats from crossing the Channel.

​Supporters of the petition urged the Government to commit to halting digital ID cards, arguing that “We think this would be a step towards mass surveillance and digital control, and that no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system.”

​The petition has already gathered 2.1 million signatures—and continues to grow. According to the UK Government website, petitions that reach 100,000 signatures are considered for debate; however, discussions on the ID card plan are almost certain to occur regardless.

​Nigel Farage of Reform UK criticized the scheme, calling it “an anti-British card.”

​Writing for the Express, he argued: “The Labour Government’s plan to impose digital ID cards on all adults will do nothing to combat illegal immigration. But it will give the state more power to control the British people.”

​According to ministers, the digital ID was initially presented solely as a tool for confirming work eligibility in the UK, with the main goal of reducing illegal immigration. Over time, however, the full extent of the policy has been expanded beyond its original purpose.

​Darren Jones, the Prime Minister’s chief secretary and policy architect, recently explained that while the digital ID initially focused on work eligibility, it could ultimately expand to broader uses as the policy develops.

​At the Global Progress Action summit in London, he told attendees, “If we get this digital ID system working and the public being with us, that will be the bedrock of the modern state and will allow for really quite exciting public service reform in the future.”

​Sir Keir, addressing the conference earlier, said digital ID was key to proving the immigration system is ‘fair’, noting, “Decent, pragmatic, fair-minded people, they want us to tackle the issues that they see around them.”

The digital ID will be stored on mobile phones and is not required to be displayed.