The motion highlights serious civil liberty, privacy, and equality concerns surrounding digital ID systems and urges Ministers to rule out such measures entirely.

Speaking on the issue, Carla Lockhart MP said:

“There is growing discussion about the introduction of mandatory digital ID cards across the UK, and I believe it is vital that Parliament sends a clear message, this must not happen.

Digital ID is being promoted by some as a supposed fix for illegal immigration, but there is absolutely no credible evidence that this approach works. Immigration control is an enforcement issue, not something solved by monitoring law-abiding citizens.

Introducing digital ID risks treating every citizen as a suspect by default, while doing little to deter those acting outside the law. The UK has rejected ID card schemes before and rightly so due to widespread public opposition and fundamental concerns around civil liberties.

Any future policy must apply equally across all four nations of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland. We cannot have a situation where citizens here are treated differently or subjected to greater levels of state monitoring.”

Carla Lockhart’s EDM 2028 calls on the Government to rule out the introduction of mandatory digital ID in any form and to uphold the long-standing principles of privacy and freedom that are central to UK democracy.

“This is an issue that warrants proper public discussion and scrutiny,” Mrs Lockhart added. “People across the UK value their right to live freely without unnecessary surveillance or control. I will continue to speak up, vote against, and campaign to ensure these freedoms are protected.”