Tony Blair, a former UK Prime Minister, made many changes during his time in office that some people believe harmed Britain. For example, his Equality Act helped create what some call a “diversity industry,” which critics say divides people rather than unites them. He also expanded higher education, but this left many young people with degrees that didn’t help them find jobs and huge amounts of debt. His reforms on devolution (giving more power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) are seen by some as speeding up the potential breakup of the UK. And, of course, his decision to join the US in the Iraq War remains highly controversial.
However, there is one idea Blair supported that many now think was actually a good one: mandatory ID cards. Sadly, because Blair’s name is so strongly linked to this idea, some people, especially those on the political right, automatically reject it without really thinking it through.
Next week marks the anniversary of when ID cards were abolished in the UK. This wasn’t done by a weak leader, but by one of Britain’s greatest: Winston Churchill. In 1952, Churchill kept his promise to “Set the People Free” by getting rid of ID cards, which were seen as a leftover from World War II when they were used to control rationing and conscription.
But today, Britain faces a different kind of challenge: illegal immigration. Every year, tens of thousands of undocumented men arrive in the UK, often crossing the English Channel in small boats. The numbers change, but without a strong plan to stop them, even more will come. Their presence costs the UK millions of pounds every day and creates tension in communities. There are also growing concerns about the safety of women, as many of these migrants are young men with no clear background or identity.
The Labour Party, which recently ruled out bringing back ID cards, seems unsure how to handle this issue. They made a big show this week of deporting 47 illegal migrants on a chartered plane, but this small gesture won’t solve the problem. In fact, it might just remind people how bad the situation has become.
The problem isn’t just about small boats crossing the Channel. A recent confidential report revealed that 1 in 12 people living in London are there illegally. Many didn’t arrive on boats but came legally on work, study, or visitor visas—and then stayed after their visas expired. They often work in places like nail salons, car washes, convenience stores, and as delivery drivers. Nationwide, up to 2 million people might be living in the UK without the legal right to be here.
So, what’s the solution? In sports, a good strategy is to ask: What does my opponent fear the most? For illegal migrants, the answer is simple: they fear being identified. Before coming to the UK, many destroy their passports or other documents to hide their identity. Some even lie about their age to be treated as minors and avoid deportation.
Why do migrants pass through France on their way to the UK instead of staying there? The French say it’s because they have ID cards, and we don’t. It’s no coincidence that the UK has more illegal migrants than any other European country, while almost every other European nation uses ID cards.
David Blunkett, a former Home Secretary, said that when Blair briefly introduced ID cards (15,000 were issued before the program was canceled), it had an impact on illegal migration. Blunkett recently told the *Daily Mail*: “The gangs realized it wasn’t worth trafficking people into the UK if migrants couldn’t work or claim benefits without an ID card, making them likely to be deported.”
He’s right. Benefit fraud in the UK costs over £7 billion a year. Worse, we have no real idea who is coming in and out of the country. After Brexit, officials thought there were 3 million EU citizens living in the UK, but the actual number was 5 million. How can a country function properly without knowing who is living within its borders?
Some people argue that ID cards are a bad idea because they could lead to a surveillance state, where the government knows too much about its citizens. They worry about data leaks, high costs, and the risk of the UK becoming like China, with a social credit system that tracks everyone’s behavior. Boris Johnson even compared ID cards to tattooing barcodes on children at birth.
But while these concerns are valid, the reality is that Britain is facing a crisis. Uncontrolled migration is putting immense pressure on public services like healthcare, transportation, and housing. By 2032, the UK’s population is expected to grow by 5 million, entirely due to immigration. This will strain the country’s resources even further.
The world has changed since Blair’s ID card plan was scrapped. Today, people are much more comfortable sharing personal data, especially through social media. While some argue that voluntarily giving up privacy is different from being forced to carry an ID card, the truth is that Britain’s survival as a stable nation is at risk. ID cards may not be perfect, but the alternative—uncontrolled migration—is far worse.
In short, Britain is facing an emergency. The threat of uncontrolled migration is real and could change the country in ways we can’t fully predict. ID cards might not be the ideal solution, but they could be a necessary step to protect the UK’s future.
