A Solution Looking For A Problem

Having tried to convince us that the introduction of "entitlement cards" (what the straight-talking amongst you might call ID cards) is the panacea for (largely fictitious) immigration problems, terrorism, crime and benefit fraud, David Blunkett is now (resignation or no) asserting that it is also the required response to election fraud. Nick Barlow has the run-down and quotes No2ID, who point out very sensibly,

Of course, a moment’s thought reveals that ID cards wouldn’t prevent any kind of “citizen not present” fraud, such as fraudulent postal voting, precisely because the citizen and his ID card aren’t available to be verified.

Mr Blunkett’s comments do nothing to dispel the impression that compulsory ID cards are a solution looking for a problem - and not finding one.

Honourable Friend draws a similar conclusion, but is somewhat more succinct. (Thanks to Tim Ireland for pointing me in the right direction on this one.)