UK Conservatives pledge to cancel ID card scheme

The UK’s Conservative party has made its loudest noises yet that it will immediately scrap the proposed national ID card scheme if it wins at the next general election.

Shadow home secretary David Davis has taken a new angle of attack by warning of the financial dangers if the current Government signs contracts to set up the ID card scheme when it faces cancellation if the Conservatives are returned to power.

In a formal letter to cabinet secretary, Gus O’Donnell, Davis asked what provision, if any, has been made in the relevant contractual arrangements to protect the Government - and public funds - against the costs that would be incurred as a result of early cancellation of the scheme.

Additionally the Conservatives have fired off a similar letter to likely major contractors, warning them of the Party’s intentions.

The news came just hours before the Conservatives launch a web and print based campaign against Labour’s ID Cards proposals.

Davis wrote: "I urge you to consider very carefully the Government’s position, in advance of the roll-out of the scheme later this year. As a matter of financial prudence, it is incumbent upon you to ensure that public money is not wasted, and contractual obligations are not incurred, investing in a scheme with such a high risk of not being implemented. In particular, I would be interested to know what provision, if any, has been made in the relevant contractual arrangements to protect the Government - and public funds - against the costs that would be incurred as a result of early cancellation of the scheme.”