NO2ID Newsletter RSS

NO2ID Newsletter 113

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:01 GMT

+ MESSAGE FROM NO2ID'S NATIONAL COORDINATOR +

The retention of DNA and fingerprints from uncharged and innocent people ruled unlawful; plans to force 200,000 airside workers onto the ID database in tatters; the mass uploading of millions of medical records stalled for over a year; 'ID cards for foreigners' met with derision, as public support for ID cards drops a further 5% in three months. The time has never been better to make our case.

We hope our new video, 'Take Jane', will help shift things up a gear.
Please pass this link on:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=v1JqlvnZANA

NO2ID has won the intellectual argument (though we shall persist in our rigorous, evidence-based opposition of the database state) but we must comprehensively overcome the sly emotional appeal of "If you've done nothing wrong, you've got nothing to fear". 'Take Jane' is our latest attempt.

Often, secrets are good. Secrets keep you and things you value safe. Forcing people to surrender yet more personal information when the government plainly can't be trusted with the details it already holds is not just wrong - it's dangerous. If they can't protect it, they shouldn't collect it.

I would like to take this opportunity to applaud our local groups, especially our hard-working local and regional coordinators. One of the great privileges of being national coordinator is that I get to meet all sorts of people from one end of the country to the other who week in week out are advancing NO2ID's case on the streets, at meetings, in the papers and on local and regional radio and TV.

Without your efforts we are nothing. I salute you all.

Wishing you and your families a peaceful and ID-free Christmas, and looking forward to turning the tide in 2009...

Phil Booth
National Coordinator, NO2ID

NO2ID Review of the Year

A few key moments from 2008 - and some ways you can help stop the database state in 2009.

JANUARY: The year gets off to a leaky start. NO2ID releases a government document detailing official plans to use "various forms of coercion" to bully people onto the ID cards database. After non-EEA foreign nationals, airport workers and young people are declared prime targets.

FEBRUARY: Freedom lovin' rock band Kula Shaker, who first came to fame during the Britpop era, promote NO2ID throughout their 2008 UK tour. Local groups across the country hold stalls at each gig and sign up new supporters.

NO2ID is constantly trying to reach and engage new people. You can help. Download a copy of our petition - http://www.no2id.net/downloads/forms/NO2IDpetition.pdf - and use it as a way to get your friends and neighbours talking about the ID scheme.

Please send completed forms to our London office (address on the form). Everyone who gives contact details will be invited to join NO2ID.

--

MARCH: Jacqui Smith confirms NO2ID's leak, announcing the ID scheme 'Delivery Plan' to a hand-picked audience outside Parliament. The long-anticipated Crosby report says responsibility for ID should be taken away from the state altogether, and is promptly buried.

APRIL: NO2ID holds a database state-themed London Mayoral hustings. All the invited candidates - bar Ken Livingstone - confirm their opposition to ID cards and related initiatives. NO2ID runs a day of seminars in the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood on the dangers of the Scottish National Entitlement Card programme.

Why not lobby your council to pass a motion against the ID scheme? It represents you, and local authorities are clearly in the Home Office's sights: http://www.no2id.net/resources/motions/

Dozens of councils have now resolved not to use ID cards for access to their services unless forced to by law - a number have affiliated to NO2ID.

--

MAY: As well as campaigning, the day-to-day business of NO2ID HQ involves handling the media, responding to consultations, preparing briefings, lobbying politicians and industry and engaging civil society. In May, the University and Colleges Union votes to affiliate to NO2ID and we arrange a debate with a Home Office official at a meeting of the London Civic Forum.

JUNE: Nine members of NO2ID Scotland are arrested after staging a peaceful protest at an invitation-only Home Office "public consultation" event. Junior 'Minister for Identity', Meg Hillier has a serious sense of humour bypass but all charges are later dropped.

Are you in contact with your nearest NO2ID local group? To find out about activities in your area, see http://www.no2id.net/localGroups/ - new members are always welcome.

If there isn't already a group in your area ask Matty Mitford, our local groups coordinator about starting your own: local.groups@no2id.net

--

JULY: Jacqui Smith launches youth propaganda website, 'My Life My ID', to hoots of derision. At Channel 4 BritDoc's 'Good Pitch', NO2ID is named campaigning partner for new feature-length documentary, 'Erasing David', scheduled for release in summer 2009.

AUGUST: NO2ID holds its Annual General Meeting. The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Ltd generously agrees to match pound for pound a proportion of NO2ID's new income in 2009/10. Setting up a standing order or PayPal/credit card subscription NOW means the campaign will receive *double* what you give.

Campaigning costs money. We desperately need your support. Generous regular givers fund our cramped office and some printing costs, but we need many, many more. Please make a donation or even better set up a regular payment - http://www.no2id.net/join

--

SEPTEMBER: NO2ID attends party conferences, organising or speaking at events in Brighton, Bournemouth, Manchester and Birmingham. Following our fringe meeting on the ID scheme, a BALPA motion to oppose the introduction of ID cards "with every means at our disposal" is adopted by TUC Congress. Phil Booth is refused entry to an official Labour meeting, due to a mix-up with his conference ID...

OCTOBER: Conservative Future launches support of NO2ID, and talks with the NUS on anti-ID campaigning across UK campuses step up a gear. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg announces policy on 'credit freezes' (locking your own credit records) floated earlier in the year by NO2ID but completely ignored by junior minister Meg Hillier following her challenge to ID opponents in the FT.

Make the NO2ID Pledge: http://www.no2id.net/pledge/ and declare to your friends and neighbours (tell everyone, and display your certificate proudly!) that you will not cooperate with any further government grab for your personal information. If enough people publicly declare they will not cooperate, state seizure of personal identity will become impossible.

--

NOVEMBER: The first of seven centres due to issue 'ID cards for foreign nationals' open for business. NO2ID and others mount protests across the UK, including giant ID card burnings and demonstrations. Hundreds of locally and nationally-known figures sign NO2ID letters to the press opposing the government's bullying of soft targets and sly xenophobic appeal.

DECEMBER: Having identified draft legislation that would make ID cards effectively compulsory to carry, NO2ID successfully exposes data-trafficking powers buried in an obscure new Bill that would smash the rule of law and build the database state in its place. We end the year on a leak, revealing extraordinary powers of search without warrant in contracts applied to those bidding to work on the ID scheme.

If this review was originally sent to someone else, then please register as a supporter to get your own e-mail newsletter every fortnight. There is a form on the front page of our website: http://www.no2id.net/ You'll also receive a FREE supporter's pack and occasional alerts about NO2ID events in your area.

If this is your original copy of this newsletter, why not pass it on?

What's next?

+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS +

To see if there's a group in your area check our list at http://www.no2id.net/localGroups/
Or, if you're interested in starting a group yourself, please contact Matty on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what's involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.

+ Bristol +

+ 7th January - Bristol NO2ID Meeting +
Wednesday, 7th January 7pm at Deco Lounge, Cotham Hill.

+ Cambridge +

+ 3rd January - NO2ID Cambridge Stall +
Saturday, 3rd January at 10am in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall. Location Map: (http://www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/T5LZATLS) As ever, volunteers to help very welcome - please email cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624 if you can make it.

+ 7th January - Cambridge NO2ID pub meeting (1st Wednesday of each month) +
Wednesday, 7th January 7.30pm at the Salisbury Arms, 76 Tenison Rd, Cambridge CB1 2DW (http://www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/CYXNES29). For more details contact cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624.

+ Daventry +

+ 14th January - Daventry NO2ID Meeting +
Wednesday, 14th January at 8pm in the Saracen's Head, Daventry. Contact daventry@no2id.net for more information.

+ Dorking +

+ 20th December - NO2ID Dorking Street Stall, Horsham +
Saturday, 20th December in Horsham. Last time we were there we picked up 249 signatures for the petition � in the week before Christmas we will be looking to improve. Anyone in the area, please come along and say hello.

+ 6th January - NO2ID Dorking Meeting (1st Tuesday of month) +
Tuesday, 6th January 7.30pm at The Lincoln Arms, near Dorking mainline station.

+ Edinburgh +

Saturdays 1pm - 3pm - NO2ID Edinburgh street stall
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel. Do drop by for a chat. New volunteers - please contact John (edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/

+ Glasgow +

Most Saturdays 2pm - NO2ID Glasgow street stall
Most Saturdays there are stalls in Glasgow city centre (usually Buchanan Street) from about 2pm. Volunteers are always welcome, please contact Geraint if you would like to help: glasgow@no2id.net

+ London +

+ January 2009 - Superheroes Against National ID Cards protest +
January 2009 (Date TBC shortly) Parliament Square, London. A fun protest against: the National Identity Register, the erosion of our civil liberties, the database state & the monopolisation of superhero protests! Help end this Orwellian nightmare...!
See http://www.superheroesagainst.org.uk/

+ Manchester +

+ 18th December - Manchester NO2ID Xmas Social +
Thursday, 18th December 7pm-9pm at The Waterhouse, Princess Street, Manchester.

+ Newcastle +

+ 13th January - Newcastle NO2ID Meeting (NOTE NEW VENUE), 2nd Tuesday of each month +
Tuesday, 13th January 7.30pm at the Jazz caf�, Pink Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne. The owner of the venue is a supporter of our campaign. The change of venue is in response to the need to find a better, more politically-neutral venue. The new day is in response to several local members' problems attending on Wednesday. We have listened to our members and responded as soon as we were able to find a suitable venue. For more info contact Nathan on newcastle@no2id.net

+ Oxford +

+ 8th January - Oxford NO2ID Meeting +
Thursday, 8th January 8pm at The Mitre, High Street, Oxford. We usually meet on the first Thursday of the month but since this falls on New Year's Day we thought we'd push it back a week. See you then!

See the website for more: http://no2id-oxford.org.uk/

NO2ID Newsletter 112

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:01 GMT

+ GOVERNMENT BURIES DATABASE STATE POWERS IN CORONERS BILL +

The Coroners and Justice Bill, announced in yesterday's Queen's Speech will contain extraordinary new data-sharing powers which could be exercised without Parliamentary debate. The government is trying to sneak through new powers in a bill "to create the new role of The Office of the Chief Coroner". Supporters need to be aware of the danger of this bill and be ready to contact MPs as this legislation passes through parliament.

The new powers follow on from the Thomas/Walport Data Sharing Review [1] which recommended "that where there is a genuine case for removing or modifying an existing legal barrier to data sharing, a new statutory fast-track procedure should be created". Jack Straw highlighted these new 'fast track' data-sharing powers which he said will "simplify the data protection framework and remove any unnecessary obstacles to data sharing".

These powers would allow the government effectively to set aside not just the Data Protection Act and data protection principles when it suits, but the much more fundamental protections of Articles 6 and 8 of the ECHR/HRA [2], of common law confidentiality and of ultra vires[3]. This goes far beyond data protection into administrative and constitutional law.

Rather than protecting our personal information as it should, the government is cutting away safeguards for its own data-trafficking convenience. This bill as it stands smashes the rule of law and builds the database state in its place. We need to do everything we can to stop these powers being passed otherwise it really could mean the end of privacy as we know it.

--
NOTES:

[1] Thomas/Walport Data Sharing Review can be found at http://www.justice.gov.uk/reviews/datasharing-intro.htm
[2] The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA). Article 8 is the right to privacy and Article 6 the presumption of innocence - both of which e.g. data profiling or matching or false biometric matches will contravene.
[3] Ultra vires refers to acts of a public body which fall beyond its jurisdiction or remit

+ Thanks to local groups +

Many thanks to all groups who got a multisignatory NO2ID letter published in their local press to coincide with the launch of "ID cards" for foreign nationals. The letter even found its way into the Daily Telegraph (see http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3512924/US-celebrities-like-Madonna-wont-come-to-Britain-because-of-ID-cards.html)

What just happened?

+ Landmark judgment for DNA privacy at European Court of Human Rights +

The government has been defeated in a case at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over the retention of DNA samples for those who have not committed an offence. The case of 'S' and Marper should force the government to destroy 4.5m samples taken from people acquitted or never charged that are currently stored in the national DNA database. The court said: "The retention in question constituted a disproportionate interference with the applicants' right to respect for private life and could not be regarded as necessary in a democratic society." The court also ordered the British authorities to pay 42,000 euros to the two men for legal fees. The court's rulings are binding on all EU member states. The Home Secretary has stated that the existing law will remain in place while ministers consider the judgment.
See http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/view.asp?item=1&portal=hbkm&action=html&highlight=S.%20|%20Marper&sessionid=16788875&skin=hudoc-en

+ Government publishes response to data sharing review +

Last week the government published its response to the Data Sharing Review written by Richard Thomas (the current Information Commissioner but working �in an independent capacity�) and Dr Mark Walport (Director of the Wellcome Trust). Back in Newsletter 102 we warned that recommendations in the Data Sharing review to remove existing data sharing firewalls will lead to the abolition of privacy. Right on queue the government has seized on the recommendations. Their response states: "Government will legislate to create a gateway for data sharing powers, which will be subject to the Parliamentary Affirmative Resolution procedure. This will create a more streamlined process, retaining the element of parliamentary scrutiny to ensure transparency in data sharing policy and ensuring such power is proportionate." As detailed above the Ministry of Justice will be putting new data sharing powers into the Coroners and Justice bill, for apparent want of anywhere better to put them...
Download the full response at http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/response-data-sharing-review.pdf

+ Details of ID scheme penalties emerge +

Last week, as the government launched a consultation into secondary legislation under the ID cards act, some details of the civil penalties under the act have emerged. For instance you could have £1000 penalties sent to you by e-mail if you fail to turn up at a time and place of their choosing, refuse to be fingerprinted, photographed or hand over documents (e.g. birth or marriage certificates), or fail to tell them you've moved house for 3 months. Anything that the Identity and Passport service think is "deliberate or reckless" provision of incorrect information could lead to 2 years in prison. Other dubious 'highlights' include: a tax on marriage � women who change their name will have to buy a new card; those without bank accounts won't be able to get ID as you can only pay by credit or debit card, or cheque; and the homeless will be able to nominate a park bench as their 'address'. Welcome to a lifetime of state identity control!

+ Freedom Not Fear protest video goes online +

Back in October a protest was staged at Scotland Yard in London as part of Europe wide 'Freedom Not Fear' actions. A video of the protest featuring interviews with some of those present, including NO2ID campaigner 'Panda', has been posted on google video.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4643211524004823743&hl=en

What's next?

+ ID cards secondary legislation consultation launched +
The Identity and Passport Service has launched a consultation on secondary legislation proposed under the Identity Cards Act 2006, including a draft Code of Practice on Civil Penalties. Any comments should be sent to: Robin Woodland, Identity Cards Act Secondary Legislation Consultation, Home Office, Identity and Passport Service, Allington Towers, 19 Allington Street, London SW1E 5EB. Comments may also be sent by email to: identitycards@ips.gsi.gov.uk. If commenting by email then include the words �consultation response� in the subject title. Closing date 13th February 2009.
See http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/downloads/NIS_Legislation.pdf

+ Connecting for Health and secondary uses of patient data consultation +
"NHS Connecting for Health are gathering people's views to help them make important decisions about the ways the NHS can use information it collects about patients. Such patient data is mainly used to provide care and treatment but can also have additional uses such as research, auditing the quality and safety of care, management planning, etc. This consultation is focusing on additional uses." Responses should be sent to Chrissy Brand (FREEPOST RRXB-TTRR-HJGB, Tribal Consulting, Palatine Road, Manchester, M22 4DB) by 10th December.
See http://www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/systemsandservices/research/consultation

+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS +

The size, influence and activity of NO2ID's local group network is unique amongst single-issue campaigning and is growing all the time. Groups raise awareness of the work of NO2ID, inform their local politicians and journalists about the depth of the ID scheme and provide us with our now main method of attracting new members and supporters. Their work is vital and effective and enables us to maintain a relatively high local media presence that many campaigning groups envy. To see if there's a group in your area check our list at http://www.no2id.net/localGroups/
Or, if you're interested in starting a group yourself, please contact Matty on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what's involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.

+ Cambridge +

+ 6th December - NO2ID Cambridge Stall +
Saturday, 6th December at 10am in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall. Location Map: (http://www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/T5LZATLS) As ever, volunteers to help very welcome - please email cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624 if you can make it.

+ Canterbury +

Firstly, thank you to everyone who has supported us, joined the list, signed a petition, signed a pledge and/or become a member of NO2ID. There are now over 600 NO2ID members in Canterbury!

+ 13th December - Canterbury NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday, 13th December 10am - 1pm (or later depending on numbers) on the High Street. If you would like to get involved and can commit to a specific time that would be very helpful - the more the merrier at what will probably be a very busy time. Potential for getting our message out and getting new sign-ups is high so it should be a rewarding day. Contact canterbury@no2id.net or call 07792 567087.

+ Cardiff +

+ 10th December - No Borders South Wales protest, UK Border Agency +
Wednesday, 10th December 12 noon outside the UK Border Agency, 31-33 Newport Road where registration of non-EEA students and spouses will begin in Cardiff. We invite all opponents of ID cards to join us. This is a follow up to the demonstration when ID cards came into force on the 25th November in the same place, which was part of a national day of action by No Borders.
More info at: http://noborderswales.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/oppose-the-start-of-id-registration/

+ Coventry +

Coventry held their first stall on Saturday 29th November and it was a success, coinciding with their letter on ID cards for non-EU foreign nationals being printed in the Evening Telegraph.

If you are interested in the activity of the group, please join the Coventry mailing list on: http://lists.no2id.org/mailman/listinfo/no2id.coventry

+ Deptford +

+ 12th December - Deptford NO2ID Film Night - 'Taking Liberties' +
Friday, 12th December at the Deptford Arms, 52 Deptford High St, London, SE8 4RT Tel: 0871 917 000. Deptford NO2ID is showing "Taking Liberties", contact deptford@no2id.net for more info.

+ Dorking +

It�s not quite a year since we started Dorking NO2ID. We didn�t really get going until 21st March when we had our first street stall. In the 8 months since then we have done 13 street stalls, collected 2500 signatures, held a public meeting which was attended by about 100 people, and we have persuaded Mole Valley Council and Surrey County Council to pass motions against ID Cards.

Meetings every first Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm, The Lincoln Arms near Dorking mainline station. Come along and set the agenda for 2009.

+ Edinburgh +

The guest speaker at the Edinburgh group meeting on 26th November was Lord George Foulkes, MSP. As far as we know, this was the first time in Scotland that a Labour politician had been prepared to debate in public about ID cards and the evening was conducted in a wholly amicable and constructive manner. Interestingly, having been concerned with parliamentary security committees, he thought that the use of ID cards to combat terrorism had been 'oversold'. Otherwise it appeared that he supported the standard Home Office line and said that opposition to ID cards was based on misunderstandings. The long discussion after his talk should have disabused him. It was disappointing that he came out with the tired old line that opposition by other parties was based on political opportunism. Still, we were very grateful that he was willing to come and talk to us.

Saturdays 1pm - 3pm - NO2ID Edinburgh street stall
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel. Do drop by for a chat. New volunteers - please contact John (edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/

+ Glasgow +

Most Saturdays 2pm - NO2ID Glasgow street stall
Most Saturdays there are stalls in Glasgow city centre (usually Buchanan Street) from about 2pm. Volunteers are always welcome, please contact Geraint if you would like to help: glasgow@no2id.net

+ Lecicester +

+ 10th December - Leicester NO2ID Meeting +
Wednesday, 10th December 8pm in the Blues pub on Uplands/Severn Rd corner, Oadby.

+ Liverpool +

Liverpool ID Card Protests at Immigration Centre
On Tuesday 25th November 2008, the day when UK identity cards for foreign nationals were introduced, a number of groups from around the north west gathered at the Liverpool immigration centre in Reliant House, 20 Water Street. This was one of a series of demonstrations at immigration centres around the UK. NO2ID, Defy-ID and No Borders campaigners were present, along with the Rhythms of Resistance band. Most demonstrators were wearing barcodes strung around their necks. The public reaction was mixed but mostly positive, with people coming from surrounding streets to observe the demonstration and talk to people about the issues surrounding identity cards and immigration. People queuing at the centre itself were also keen to discuss these issues and their concerns. Many seemed unaware of the Government's new scheme. The demonstration ran from before its official noon start to beyond its official 1pm finish, finally disbanding closer to 2pm.

+ London +

+ January 2009 - Superheroes Against National ID Cards protest +
January 2009 (Date TBC shortly) Parliament Square, London. A fun protest against: the National Identity Register, the erosion of our civil liberties, the database state & the monopolisation of superhero protests! Help end this Orwellian nightmare...!
See http://www.superheroesagainst.org.uk/

+ Manchester +

+ 13th December - Manchester NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday, 13th December, from 2pm in St. Anne's Square, Manchester. We'll be running a Saturday afternoon stall in St. Ann's Square to raise awareness among the public and engage people in discussion about the National Identity Register. We'll meet in the square itself at 2pm to set up shop; feel free to join us to lend a hand or just chat. You don't need any experience or equipment, just a bit of time to spare and a friendly smile!

+ Oxford +

+ 4th December - Oxford NO2ID Meeting +
Thursday, 4th December, 8pm at the Mitre on the High Street, Oxford.

See the website for more: http://no2id-oxford.org.uk/

+ Shrewsbury +

+ 15th December - Shrewsbury NO2ID "dining club" (3rd Monday of the month) +
Monday, 15th December - our regular "dining club" is meeting at about 7.15pm somewhere in the town centre. Do join us for a meal, or just come along for a drink. We need to book the table a few days in advance, so contact Rob Findlay on shrewsbury@no2id.net (or 07973 848910) if you'd like to come along.

"ID" in the news

+ DNA database 'breach of rights' - BBC News online 4/12/08 +
Two British men should not have had their DNA and fingerprints retained by police, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was "disappointed" by the European Court of Human Rights' decision. The database may now have to be scaled back following the unanimous judgement by 17 senior judges from across Europe.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7764069.stm

+ ID cards are not voluntary - Telegraph 3/12/08 +
When the Government introduced its ID card legislation several years ago, it made one thing clear. Even though it would be obligatory to register on the ID database when obtaining a new passport, it would not be compulsory to carry a card.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/12/03/dl0304.xml

+ New bills could affect civil liberties - Public Service 3/12/08 +
Two bills announced in the Queen's Speech will contain "extraordinary" data sharing and enforcement powers for the government. NO2ID has accused the government of burying the new proposed powers in "obscure bills", with a controversial data sharing proposal included in the Coroners and Justice Bill and a power to demand a member of the public to present his/her ID card in the Immigration and Citizenship Bill.
http://www.publicservice.co.uk/news_story.asp?id=7907

+ Arrests made after protest against ID card scheme - Sheffield Telegraph 3/12/08 +
Police made a dozen arrests after a group of anarchists staged a protest at the Home Office buildings in Sheffield. Members of the Anarchists' Federation arrived at Vulcan House in Millsands on the Riverside in Sheffield city centre at around 8.30am to mount a protest against the Government's ID card scheme.
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news2/Arrests-made-after-protest-against.4752419.jp

+ Big Brother police to get 'war-time' power to demand ID in the street - on pain of sending you to jail - Daily Mail 3/12/08 +
State officials are to be given powers previously reserved for times of war to demand a person's proof of identity at any time. Anybody who refuses the Big Brother demand could face arrest and a possible prison sentence. The new rules come in legislation to be unveiled in today's Queen's Speech.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1091448/Big-Brother-police-war-time-powers-demand-ID-street--pain-sending-jail.html

+ Britain can't afford ID cards - Telegraph 26/11/08 +
Instead of driving us further into penury, the Chancellor should announce he is scrapping the ID scheme because he cannot justify the expense.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/11/26/dl2602.xml

+ ID cards: Rely on 'visual check' as biometrics unreadable - silicon.com 25/11/08 +
The first UK ID cards will be of limited use for full biometric ID checks on foreign workers, with the government yet to reveal a timetable for the deployment of scanners capable of reading the cards. Employers who doubted the authenticity of the card had been told to flick it to check for a distinctive sound.
http://www.silicon.com/publicsector/0,3800010403,39352003,00.htm

+ £1,000 fine for wrong ID details - BBC News online 21/11/08 +
Women who change their name after marriage could face fines of up to £1,000 if they fail to tell the government, under new proposals. Anyone with a biometric passport or ID card will be required to notify the National Identity Register of changes to the personal data it holds
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7742619.stm

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter - Editor(newsletter@no2id.net) )

NO2ID Newsletter 111

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

+ SEND THE GOVERNMENT A CLEAR MESSAGE ABOUT USE OF PATIENT INFORMATION +

NHS Connecting for Health (NHS CFH) is conducting a consultation on the wider use of patient information [1] (see http://tinyurl.com/6l2goc).

The consultation relates to the so called "Secondary Uses Service (SUS)" whereby every time you attend a hospital appointment your post code, date of birth, GP details, consultant details, outpatient clinic, inpatient admission, procedure, cost and whether you are to be followed up is all sent by the hospital to BT. All these details will be stored at the regional hosting centre and can be accessed by your local Primary Care Trust, Strategic Health Authority and the Department of Health via the SUS database that BT now manage. Medical researchers are allowed access to all this personal and clinical information.

Connecting for Health claims that most data in the SUS will be anonymised but a document obtained from the Department of Health under the Freedom of Information Act by Professor Ross Anderson of Cambridge University shows that they will not be anonymising this medical data [2].

The NHS confidentiality group [3] has already produced an opt out letter to allow patients to opt out of the upload of Summary Care Records to the NHS 'spine' (the central database that will be used to store electronic patient records) and they are now working on an opt out from the Secondary Uses Service.

With the 'spine' effectively stalled this is one of the few consultations where sheer volume of negative response may have some effect - so please do help us send a message to the government that our medical records are private and should remain so.

Responses should be sent to Chrissy Brand (FREEPOST RRXB-TTRR-HJGB, Tribal Consulting, Palatine Road, Manchester, M22 4DB) by 10th December.

--
NOTES:

[1] Details of the consultation are at http://www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/systemsandservices/research/consultation
[2] The letter can be downloaded from http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rja14/Papers/SUS-governance.pdf
[3] http://www.nhsconfidentiality.org

+ WATCH OUT FOR NO2ID LETTERS IN LOCAL PAPERS +
Look out for NO2ID letters in your local papers from next week on "ID cards for foreign nationals". Local groups around the country have been contacting local media to highlight the issues surrounding the first phase of the government's ID scheme. If you see one of the letters then write in to the paper and provoke more discussion. The local media is a great place for us to get our message across.

+ NO2ID AND NO BORDERS PROTESTS AROUND THE COUNTRY +
Biometric ID cards will come into force for non-EU students and spouses from 25th November and will be issued from offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, Croydon, Glasgow, Liverpool, and Sheffield. NO2ID and No Borders are planning to hold protests outside each of the offices on that day. See the listings for London, Brighton & Hove, Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds in the What's Next section below. No Borders South Wales will also be protesting outside the Cardiff centre from 12 noon on the 25th November.
See our forums for more information of protests: http://forum.no2id.net/viewtopic.php?t=24837

What just happened?

+ Home Office at the Constitution Committee's Surveillance Inquiry +

On Wednesday morning (19th November) Vernon Coaker, Home Office Minister of State for Policing, Crime & Security, gave evidence to the House of Lords Constitution Committee's Surveillance Inquiry. Asked about the ability of the proposed National Identity Scheme Commissioner to deal with the huge task of policing a system of millions of people Coaker said: "we would expect the commissioner to be pro-active, tough and resourceful". On the fact that people arrested but not subsequently charged have DNA on the National DNA database Coaker said: "there is still a threshold there because the officer who arrests somebody has to arrest somebody according to the PACE [Police and Criminal Evidence Act] procedures, that requires them to have reasonable suspicion that they have committed a crime, they also then have to be taken to the police station and the custody sergeant there deciding that that person should be detained". Coaker manages to make it sound as though there are checks and balances at every step, when of course there are not. Coaker also forgot to mention that a police officer can arrest someone if he has "reasonable suspicion" (itself a low threshold) that a person is going to commit an offence. Last year 700,000 samples were added to the DNA database, a record figure for one year.
Watch the session at: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/VideoPlayer.aspx?meetingId=2876

+ Scottish Parliament passes another anti-ID scheme motion +

On Wednesday (19th November) members of the Scottish Parliament passed a motion against the UK government's ID scheme. The motion was passed by 69 votes to zero with 38 abstentions, and stated: "the UK Government has repeatedly shown itself to be incapable of keeping personal data securely and therefore cannot be trusted with what would be the most powerful, most expensive and most intrusive database in the world; further recognises the large-scale public and political opposition to the imposition of the ID card scheme; believes that the money for ID cards could more usefully be spent elsewhere".
The debate will be available online shortly at: http://www.holyrood.tv/library.asp?iPid=3§ion=31&title=General+Debates

+ Home Office Launch ID cards - again! +

The UK Identity and Passport Service have published yet another launch document for the National Identity Scheme. The 20 page propaganda piece is entitled "Introducing the National Identity Scheme - How the Scheme will work and how it will benefit you" with illustrative examples to show what the government thinks an ID card could do for you. For instance a 19 year old goes up to a bar "digs in her bag and pulls out her identity card. She hands it over which confirms that she is in fact 19. As she puts the card back in her purse she is relieved that she no longer has to hand over documents with her address on them to prove her age". Or Dave who wants to get a mortgage and "is pleasantly surprised to be told that, as he has his identity card with him, they can verify his details now and start processing his application immediately". The document doesn't mention that once your details are in the database they are in there for life, that it is your responsibility to keep that data up to date and to not lose your card, that you can't check your record, that there are fines for any errors or if you fail to keep your data up to date, and that the National Identity Register Number will be used to track you for the rest of your life.
See http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/downloads/introducing_the_national_identity_scheme.pdf

What's next?

+ NO2ID T-SHIRTS - THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT +
NO2ID T-shirts are a great present idea but to guarantee delivery before Christmas you should order now. T-shirts cost £12 and we have a stock of "Labour's Poll Tax" in all sizes (we won't be reprinting it so it should be a collectors' item). In most sizes of the classic www.NO2ID.net design there is a choice of Black or White, but we won't have new stock before Christmas and stocks are limited so please specify whether we may substitute the other colour or not. Where we do have stock we should be able to supply in time for Christmas if orders reach us by end of November.
For an order form go to http://www.no2id.net/getInvolved/no2id_merchandise_order_form.pdf

+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS +

The size, influence and activity of NO2ID's local group network is unique amongst single-issue campaigning and is growing all the time. Groups raise awareness of the work of NO2ID, inform their local politicians and journalists about the depth of the ID scheme and provide us with our now main method of attracting new members and supporters. Their work is vital and effective and enables us to maintain a relatively high local media presence that many campaigning groups envy. To see if there's a group in your area check our list at http://www.no2id.net/localGroups/
Or, if you're interested in starting a group yourself, please contact Matty on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what's involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.

+ Brighton and Hove +

+ 25th November - Demonstration against first ID cards +
Tuesday, 25th November - meet on New Road at 12:20. Visual demonstration to raise awareness that this is the day the first ID cards will be issued! We will be doing two short stunts, at 12:30 and 13:00. We need as many people as possible to stand in a queue, where you will eventually be either 'authorised' or not.

+ 25th November - Brighton and Hove NO2ID Meeting +
Tuesday, 25th November 7.30pm at the Brighton Peace and Environment Centre, opposite the train station.We will also be going to the Battle of Trafalgar afterwards if meetings aren't your thing.

+ Bristol +

+ 1st December - Screening of Taking Liberties +
Monday, 1st December at 8pm, showing of "Taking Liberties" at The Cube with introduction by Dave Gould of Bristol NO2ID. Tickets £4/£3.

+ Cambridge +

+ 22nd November - NO2ID Cambridge Stall +
Saturday, 22nd November at 10am in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall. Location Map: (http://www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/T5LZATLS) As ever, volunteers to help very welcome - please email cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624 if you can make it.

+ 3rd December - Cambridge NO2ID pub meeting (1st Wednesday of each month) +
Wednesday, 3rd December, 7.30pm at the Salisbury Arms, 76 Tenison Rd, Cambridge CB1 2DW (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=cb1+2dw). For more details contact cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624.

+ Coventry +

+ 26th November - Coventry NO2ID group re-launch meeting (every third Wednesday of the month thereafter) +
Wednesday, 26th November from 6.30pm at The Rocket, 103 Warwick Road, Coventry, CV3 6AN. As one of the areas best-served with NO2ID members the group has decided to form a new structure allowing maximum action with minimum waffle. Everyone is welcome, newcomer or not, curious or committed. Please bring a friend. Further details: Claire Boylan on coventry@no2id.net

If you're unable to attend but are interested in the activity of the group, please join the Coventry mailing list on: http://lists.no2id.org/mailman/listinfo/no2id.coventry

+ Deptford +

+ 12th December - Deptford NO2ID Film Night - 'Taking Liberties' +
Friday, 12th December at the Deptford Arms, 52 Deptford High St, London, SE8 4RT Tel: 0871 917 000. Deptford NO2ID is showing "Taking Liberties", contact deptford@no2id.net for more info.

+ Dorking +

Following lots of street stalls, 2250 odd signatures collected on the petition, a successful public meeting and a motion against ID Cards passed by Mole Valley Council, we are looking forward and planning new projects. We will continue with street stalls over the winter and are looking to Surrey County Council also to pass a motion against ID Cards.

+ 2nd December - Dorking NO2ID Meeting (1st Tuesday of Month) +
Tuesday, 2nd December, 7.30pm at the Lincoln Arms (near Dorking mainline station). All welcome.

+ Edinburgh +

+ 26th November - Edinburgh NO2ID Meeting +
Wednesday, 26th November, 7.45pm in the Meeting Room, Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL. At last we have found a Labour MSP (Lord George Foulkes) willing to come and talk about ID cards, surveillance and personal privacy. This is a public meeting - all welcome.

Saturdays 1pm - 3pm - NO2ID Edinburgh street stall
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel. Do drop by for a chat. New volunteers - please contact John (edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/

+ Epsom +

Appeal for new group co-ordinator
We are a group of about 7 � but all rather busy. So we are appealing for a group coordinator to come and organise us. Any offers? Please contact epsom@no2id.net

+ Glasgow +

+ 25th November - Glasgow NO2ID Protest +
Tuesday, 25th November, 1:30pm at the Home Office immigration centre, Festival Court, 200 Brand Street, Govan, Glasgow G51 1DH. NO2ID Glasgow will be protesting the introduction of ID cards for foreigners. Other anti-ID card groups will be protesting there from noon, see http://scotland.indymedia.org/node/11686

+ 2nd December - Glasgow NO2ID Meeting (1st Tuesday of every month) +
Tuesday, 2nd December, 8pm at Mono, 12 King's Court, Townhead, Glasgow G1 5RB. All welcome! Enquiries to Geraint: Glasgow@NO2ID.net

Most Saturdays 2pm - NO2ID Glasgow street stall
Most Saturdays there are stalls in Glasgow city centre (usually Buchanan Street) from about 2pm. Volunteers are always welcome, please contact Geraint if you would like to help: glasgow@no2id.net

+ Leeds +

+ 24th November - Leeds NO2ID Protest +
Monday, 24th November, 6pm at Dortmund Square, Outside St John�s Shopping Centre, Headrow, Leeds. In opposition to the scheme we invite all individuals and groups opposed to ID cards to join us in Leeds City Centre where we will be setting fire to a mock ID card. For more info see http://yorkshireno2id.org/events/

+ 26th November - Leeds University Forum on ID Cards +
Wednesday, 26th November at 5pm in the Union. Speakers include James Elsdon-Baker, NO2ID and Dr Carole McCartney, University of Leeds who will talk about the introduction of ID cards and the DNA database respectively. Followed by an open forum led by representatives from Liberty@Leeds who are concerned that students will be among the first affected by this costly scheme, with vulnerable foreign students first in line. The event takes place in the same week as the government is to introduce ID cards for non-EEA students and will be advertised by the smashing of an ID card pi�ata at 1pm on the same day as the event outside the Student Union. Questions and debate will follow the speeches. All welcome, students and non-students.

+ Liverpool +
See "Manchester" below for 25th November Liverpool Immigration Centre protest.

+ London +

+ 25th November - Opposing the Launch of ID Cards, London +
Tuesday, 25th November, 12-2pm at Lunar House, Croydon (40 Wellesley Road Croydon, CR9 2BY). Picket/protest called by London NoBorders. The UK is becoming a mass surveillance society, migrants are at the very sharp end. We see the launch of ID cards for some migrants as a further step to the general introduction of ID cards and the strengthening of state control in the UK. By resisting the repression of migrants, we defend the freedom of everyone!

+ Manchester +

Manchester NO2ID recently held a protest at Thales Information Systems' Stockport office, highlighting the company's involvement in the UK National Identity Scheme. The peaceful demonstration achieved some recognition from local press.

Manchester NO2ID co-ordinator Dave Page appeared live on Channel M's lunchtime news to discuss the rollout of ID cards for airside workers. You can catch this clip at http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=R4-hEEmN0x8

For updates and discussion, join the Manchester NO2ID mailing list at http://manchester.no2id.net/

+ 25th November - Liverpool Immigration Centre Protest +
Tuesday, 25th November, 12pm-1pm. Meet at Exchange Flags at 11pm, for a demonstration between noon and 1pm at the Immigration Centre building on Water Street. Supporters of Manchester NO2ID and Liverpool Defy-ID will be protesting at the Immigration Services building in Liverpool on the day ID cards are rolled out to non-EU students and spouses. If possible please bring an A4 bit of card with an A4 barcode on it and string to hang it round your neck. The protest may well be filmed for an upcoming documentary as part of the GCSE syllabus.

+ 13th December - Manchester NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday, 13th December, from 2pm in St. Anne's Square, Manchester. We'll be running a Saturday afternoon stall in St. Ann's Square to raise awareness among the public and engage people in discussion about the National Identity Register. We'll meet in the square itself at 2pm to set up shop; feel free to join us to lend a hand or just chat. You don't need any experience or equipment, just a bit of time to spare and a friendly smile!

+ Oxford +

+ 21st November - NO2ID Oxford Student Event +
Friday, 21st November from 7:30pm in Lecture Room B, Worcester College. This will be a joint event with the Oxford Libertarian Society and Oxford Students for Liberty, but will be open to all so feel free to come along and join in the discussions.

+ 29th November - Oxford NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday, 29th November on Cornmarket Street from 11am for a couple of hours.

+ 4th December - Oxford NO2ID Meeting +
Thursday, 4th December, 8pm at the Mitre on the High Street, Oxford.

See the website for more: http://no2id-oxford.org.uk/

+ Reading +

+ 22nd November - Reading NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday, 22nd November between 12pm and 3pm on Reading High Street. Contact reading@no2id.net for more info.

+ Shrewsbury +

+ 15th December - Shrewsbury NO2ID "dining club" (3rd Monday of the month) +
Monday, 15th December, 7.15pm until about 9pm - we will be meeting at the Armoury, Victoria Quay, Victoria Avenue, Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury (see www.armoury-shrewsbury.co.uk). Look for a table with NO2ID leaflets scattered around it. Most of us will be eating, or just come for a drink. The St Austin's Street car park behind the Armoury is free of charge after 8pm.

"ID" in the news

+ Pilots blast ID proposal - Computer Weekly 19/11/08 +
The British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA), the airline pilot's union, has opposed government plans to trial ID cards in the airline industry. On Friday November 21, ministers are expected to publish draft regulations to set up a trial requiring air side staff at Manchester and London City airports to sign up for an ID card before they can get security passes to work there.
http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2008/11/19/233459/pilots-blast-id-proposal.htm

+ The fear of children - The Guardian website 19/11/08 +
The government has a near complete contempt for children's rights and privacy. How else are we to explain the access to be granted to a million people to the children's database ContactPoint, which launches in January, or the 1 million children now on the Police National DNA database. Official figures show that more than 100,000 children had their DNA taken when they were under 13, and profiles of the more than half a million were added to the database when they were aged between 13 and 15. As Helen Wallace of GeneWatch UK said, "The massive expansion of the DNA database treats hundreds of thousands of young people as suspects for life."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/henryporter/2008/nov/19/children-youngpeople

+ First self-inflicted identity donor cards to ship in late 2009 - The Register 18/11/08 +
A "small number of citizens" will be issued ID cards in late 2009, says the Home Office. These will be the throngs of people who can't wait for ID cards discovered by Jacqui Smith earlier this month, when she said she wanted to "find a way to allow those people who want a card sooner to be able to pre-register their interest as early as the first few months of next year." One trusts that Smith will be making sure that all of the New Labour MPs who voted for the scheme will be putting their names down for a personal (as if...) Identity Donor Card in Q1 2009.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/18/voluntary_idcard_rollout/

+ Vetting blunders label 12,000 innocent people as paedophiles, violent thugs and thieves - Daily Mail 13/11/08 +
More than 12,200 innocent people have been branded criminals by bungling police and Government officials, it has been revealed.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1085208/Vetting-blunders-label-12-000-innocent-people-paedophiles-violent-thugs-thieves.html

+ Passport interviews 'total waste of money' - Daily Mail 12/11/08 +
Face-to-face passport interviews were condemned as a 'total waste of money' today after it emerged that they had still not uncovered any bogus applicants
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1085021/Passport-interviews-total-waste-money.html

+ Passport fees to jump by a third to more than £100 to pay for fingerprinting - Telegraph 7/11/08 +
The Home Secretary also revealed that the cost to taxpayers of new identity cards will double from £30 to £60. The huge rises were necessary to pay for taking facial readings and fingerprints for new biometric passports and ID cards.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/3392283/Passport-fees-to-jump-by-a-third-to-more-than-100-to-pay-for-fingerprinting.html

+ People 'can't wait for ID cards' - BBC News online 7/11/08 +
Jacqui Smith says public demand means people will be able to pre-register for an ID card within the next few months. The cards will be available for all from 2012 but she said: "I regularly have people coming up to me and saying they don't want to wait that long."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7712275.stm

+ Passport and ID card price hike laundered via private sector - The Register 7/11/08 +
Biometric enrollment fees for passports and ID cards will cost applicants £20-£40 on top of the basic price, estimates released by the Home Office revealed yesterday. In a prospectus soliciting private sector partners for enrollment, the Identity & Passport Service said that the total market for these services is worth "between £120 million and £280 million per year."
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/07/ips_fo_prospectus/

+ Jacqui Smith prints seized by NO2ID in daring dabs grab - The Register 6/11/08 +
The Home Secretary's fingerprints are missing, and being held by NO2ID at an undisclosed location. Earlier today, NO2ID General Secretary Guy Herbert told The Register, a water glass thought to have Jacqui Smith's fingerprints on it was 'borrowed' from a Social Market Foundation event where Smith was speaking.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/06/smith_dabs_grab/

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter - Editor(newsletter@no2id.net) )

NO2ID Newsletter 110

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

++ JOIN NO2ID - AND WE'LL GET MATCHED FUNDING ++

Since 1st September the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Ltd has generously been matching, pound for pound, any *new* income that NO2ID receives.� For every pound given from 1st September NO2ID has received TWO pounds to spend campaigning against the ID scheme and database state. Many thanks to everyone who has already responded to our matched funding appeal.

For those that have not already donated or joined NO2ID, the good news is that the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust offer is still open. Join NO2ID today and we'll get double your joining fee to help us fight the database state. Better still join NO2ID and encourage someone else to join too, that way we'll get double the double funding. Word of mouth is one of the best ways for us to expand - and talking about the issues relating to the ID scheme and the database state is a great way of informing people and getting our message across. Almost all our funding comes from membership fees and donations from individual supporters - we are hardly likely to get a government grant even if we wanted it, and we stay independent of any political patronage of any kind.

Individual membership of NO2ID starts at �£15 a year but if you can give more, please do - every pound spent is an investment in your and your family's freedoms. You can download a membership form from our website: http://www.no2id.net/downloads/membForm.pdf

Double your money offers like this don't come along very often so please, dig deep - encourage your friends, family and colleagues to make a donation. With your help we can stop this.
--
Notes:

[1] For more details of how to join NO2ID see http://www.no2id.net/getInvolved/join

What just happened?

+ Edinburgh NO2ID boost matched funding appeal +

Thanks to Edinburgh NO2ID for their collective contribution of �£100 towards the JRRT Ltd matched-funding.

+ The Home Secretary at the Joint Committee on Human Rights +

Last Tuesday (28th October) the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith gave evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights. Asked about Sir Ken Macdonald's warning of the dangers of the surveillance state (see newsletter 109) Smith skirted around the issue and said: "It is rather difficult for me to comment on what Ken Macdonald meant by the speech that he gave; he did not clear it with me and he did not discuss it with me before he gave it". On the forthcoming communications data bill Smith struggled with both the English language and what communication data is when she said: "if we face a situation as a government where both technology and our use of technology means that some of the most important capability that law enforcement uses at the moment is likely to be eroded, then we have to consider what is the most appropriate way to deal with that technologically (number one) and what are the appropriate legal safeguards to put around the way in which we deal with that in the future to safeguard that capability".� Smith promised to expand on this in a consultation paper that she will publish in the New Year - let's hope she gets someone else to help her write it.
Read the transcript at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt200708/jtselect/jtrights/uc1142-i/uc114202.htm
Watch the session at: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/VideoPlayer.aspx?meetingId=2646

+ You can't protect it. So don't collect it +

Following yet another data loss the Prime Minister has admitted that the government cannot promise to keep people's personal information safe. Key government computer systems were shut down after a memory stick was found in a pub car park containing passwords to the online Government Gateway system. Gordon Brown, speaking whilst on a trip to the Gulf, said :"It is important to recognise we cannot promise that every single item of information will always be safe because mistakes are made by human beings". The only cure to the problem of data loss is for the government to stop collecting so much personal data. You can't protect it. So don't collect it.

+ Mole Valley Council Passes Anti-ID Motion +

On Thursday 30th October Mole Valley Council unanimously passed a motion against the National ID Scheme. The motion said that "the scheme will impose wholly disproportionate costs on this Council and other public bodies which will include both implementation and operational costs and that this will have a damaging effect on all residents of Mole Valley". The council resolved to not participate in the ID scheme unless required to do so by law.� Speaking in the debate Councillor Paul Elderton warned that the ID scheme will erode trust: "It will break down the bond between the nurse and the person being treated, between the teacher and the child in the class - it's the 'who are you' question and basically as a country we have never asked that 'who are you' question, we have always accepted foreigners, we've accepted people into our communities, because we believe that they will eventually want to stay with us and become part of our community".

+ Proof that writing letters to periodicals works +

The recent letters pages in the mass-market ComputerActive magazine - which has a circulation of more than 200,000 (roughly the same as that of The Independent) - carried a "star letter" from NO2ID supporter Peter Salter in the 16th-29th Oct edition attacking the ID scheme. What's more, he has been followed by *three* more anti ID letters in the most recent edition plus another "star letter" expressing skepticism of universal communications surveillance. This issue is relevant to every and any one- whatever publication you read should print your letter, so get writing.

What's next?

+ Would You Like to Volunteer? +
NO2ID relies heavily upon the continued generosity of its supporters. One way you can help is by volunteering to assist in the NO2ID office (in London). We are always on the lookout for people with enthusiasm and a little spare time to help us assemble newsletters, member and information packs, and execute basic data entry tasks. The amount of time you put in is up to you - it can be as little as an hour or two per month, but is nevertheless invaluable to us. If you are interested in joining our team please email Stephanie Munro at administrator@no2id.net.

+ New consultation on Connecting for Health and secondary uses of patient data +
"NHS Connecting for Health are gathering people's views to help them make important decisions about the ways the NHS can use information it collects about patients. Such patient data is mainly used to provide care and treatment but can also have additional uses such as research, auditing the quality and safety of care, management planning, etc.� This consultation is focusing on additional uses." Responses should be sent to Chrissy Brand (FREEPOST RRXB-TTRR-HJGB, Tribal Consulting, Palatine Road, Manchester, M22 4DB) by 10th December.
See http://www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/systemsandservices/research/consultation

+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS +

The size, influence and activity of NO2ID's local group network is unique amongst single-issue campaigning and is growing all the time. Groups raise awareness of the work of NO2ID, inform their local politicians and journalists about the depth of the ID scheme and provide us with our now main method of attracting new members and supporters. Their work is vital and effective and enables us to maintain a relatively high local media presence that many campaigning groups envy. To see if there's a group in your area check our list at http://www.no2id.net/localGroups/
Or, if you're interested in starting a group yourself, please contact Matty on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what's involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.

+ Brighton and Hove +

+ 25th November - Demonstration against first ID cards +
Tuesday, 25th November - meet on New Road at 12:20. Visual demonstration to raise awareness that this is the day the first ID cards will be issued!� We will be doing two short stunts, at 12:30 and 13:00.� We need as many people as possible to stand in a queue, were you will eventually be either 'authorised' or not.�

+ 25th November - Brighton and Hove NO2ID Meeting +
Tuesday, 25th November 7.30pm at the Brighton Peace and Environment Centre, opposite the train station.We will also be going to the Battle of Trafalgar afterwards if meetings aren't your thing.

+ Bristol +

+ 1st December - Screening of Taking Liberties +
Showing of "Taking Liberties" at The Cube, Monday, 1st December. 8pm �£4/�£3, introduced by Dave Gould of Bristol NO2ID.

+ Cambridge +

+ 22nd November - NO2ID Cambridge Stall +
Saturday, 22nd November at 10am in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall. Location Map: http://tinyurl.com/eo42r. As ever, volunteers to help very welcome - please email cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624 if you can make it.

+ 3rd December - Cambridge NO2ID pub meeting (1st Wednesday of each month) +
Wednesday, 3rd December, 7.30pm at the Salisbury Arms, 76 Tenison Rd, Cambridge CB1 2DW (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=cb1+2dw). For more details contact cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624.

+ Coventry +

+ 26th November - Coventry NO2ID group re-launch meeting (every third Wednesday of the month thereafter) +
Wednesday, 26th November from 6.30pm at The Rocket, 103 Warwick Road, Coventry, CV3 6AN. As one of the areas best-served with NO2ID members the group has decided to form a new structure allowing maximum action with minimum waffle. Everyone is welcome, newcomer or not, curious or committed. Please bring a friend. Further details: Claire Boylan on coventry@no2id.net

If you're unable to attend, but are interested in the activity of the group, please join the Coventry mailing list on: http://lists.no2id.org/mailman/listinfo/no2id.coventry

+ Daventry +

+ 19th November - Daventry NO2ID 1st Meeting (2nd Wednesday of month) +
Wednesday, 19th November from 8pm (and every second Wednesday of the month thereafter) at The Saracen's Head, 1 Brook Street, Daventry, NN11 5HN. Everyone is welcome, newcomer or not, curious or committed. Please bring a friend. For further details contact Kate Megeary on (daventry@no2id.net). If you're unable to attend but are interested in the activity of the group, please join the Daventry mailing list on: http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.daventry (pending).

+ Edinburgh +

+ 26th November - Edinburgh NO2ID Meeting +
Wednesday, 26th November 7.45pm in the Meeting Room, Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL. At last we have found a Labour MSP (Lord George Foulkes) willing to come and talk about ID cards, surveillance and personal privacy. This is a public meeting - all welcome.

Saturdays 1pm - 3pm - NO2ID Edinburgh street stall
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel.� Do drop by for a chat.� New volunteers - please contact John (edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see http://www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/

+ Epsom +

+ 11th November - Epsom NO2ID Meeting +
Tuesday, 11th November 7.30pm at the Assembly Rooms (Weatherspoons), High Street, Epsom.� All welcome – bring a friend. If you're unable to attend, but are interested in the activity of the group, please join the Epsom mailing list at http://lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.epsom

+ Glasgow +

Most Saturdays 2pm - NO2ID Glasgow street stall
Most Saturdays there are stalls in Glasgow city centre (usually Buchanan Street) from about 2pm. Volunteers are always welcome, please contact Geraint if you would like to help: glasgow@no2id.net

+ Manchester +

For updates and discussion, join the Manchester NO2ID mailing list at http://manchester.no2id.net/

+ 8th November - Manchester NO2ID Street Stall +
Saturday, 8th November, 2pm-4pm in St. Anne's Square, Manchester. We'll be running a Saturday afternoon stall in St. Ann's Square to raise awareness among the public and engage people in discussion about the National Identity Register. Newcomers, committed and curious welcome.

+ 12th November - Manchester NO2ID meeting +
Wednesday, 12th November, 7pm-9pm in the upstairs function room of the Town Hall Tavern, Tib Lane, Manchester. Sadly this venue is not wheelchair-accessible; please contact us if you have accessibility needs at http://manchester.no2id.net/contact

+ Oxford +

+ 8th November - NO2ID Oxford Street Stall +
Saturday, 8th November, 11am-1pm on Cornmarket Street, Oxford. It helps if you can let us know that you are coming (oxford@no2id.net)

+ 13th November - Oxford NO2ID Meeting +
Thursday, 13th November, 8pm at the Mitre on the High Street in Oxford.

+ 21st November - NO2ID Oxford Student Event +
Friday, 21st November from 7:30pm in Lecture Room B, Worcester College. This will be a joint event with the Oxford Libertarian Society and Oxford Students for Liberty, but will be open to all so feel free to come along and join in the discussions.

+ Shrewsbury +

+ 8th November - Shrewsbury NO2ID street stall +
Saturday, 8th November (weather permitting) between 10.30am and 1.30pm on Pride Hill. Drop by and say hello - if you can stay a little longer you are welcome to help by handing out leaflets and chatting to people.

+ 17th November - Shrewsbury NO2ID "dining club" (3rd Monday of the month) +
Monday, 17th November, 7.15pm until about 9pm - we will be meeting at the Armoury, Victoria Quay, Victoria Avenue, Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury (see www.armoury-shrewsbury.co.uk). Look for a table with NO2ID leaflets scattered around it. Most of us will be eating, or just come for a drink. The St Austin's Street car park behind the Armoury is free of charge after 8pm.

+ Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells +

Stalls continue - if you want to help (and we'd like you to!) then please do drop us a line at tunbridge.wells@no2id.net.

+ 6th November - Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells NO2ID Meeting +
Thursday, 6th November, 8pm at The Compasses, 45, Little Mount Sion, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1Y.

"ID" in the news

+ Gordon Brown says government cannot ensure data safety - The Times 2/11/08 +
Gordon Brown has made a frank admission that government cannot promise the safety of personal data entrusted by the public. The Prime Minister was speaking hours after it emerged that a memory stick containing the passwords to a government website used to submit online tax returns had been lost.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5065795.ece

+ Passport Service dismisses 14 for database abuses - ComputerWeekly 31/10/08 +
The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) says it has dismissed 14 people over the last three years in relation to passport database abuses. The IPS is now closely involved in building the government's national identity card database.
http://tinyurl.com/6xjfl6

+ GCHQ expert dismisses ID cards 'bunkum' - The Independent 29/10/08 +
Claims that ID cards will help the fight against terrorism have been dismissed as "absolute bunkum" by a senior Government security expert linked to GCHQ. Ministers faced embarrassment after Harvey Mattinson, a senior consultant at the information security arm of the intelligence listening station, spoke out at a technology conference.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/gchq-expert-dismisses-id-cards-bunkum-978149.html

+ Mobile firms call on Liberty - The Observer 26/10/08 +
Mobile phone companies are seeking an endorsement from Liberty, the civil rights group, to assuage consumer concerns over possible misuse of the private data they hold on file.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/oct/26/mobile-privacy-liberty-data-orange

+ NO2ID shakes fist at plod print scanner plan - The Register 27/10/08 +
Privacy group NO2ID is calling for legal protections before the introduction of mobile fingerprint scanners next year. As we reported in May the National Policing Improvement Agency handed over �£50m for mobile devices to police forces. These will allow officers to check fingerprints against the Police National Computer.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/27/fingerprint_scans_objections/

+ ID cards still have majority support - ZDNet 24/10/08 +
A majority of the public remains in support of the National Identity Scheme, according to the latest figures from the Identity and Passport Service. The latest tracking research on the scheme, carried out by Taylor Nelson Sofres and published on Wednesday, claims that 60 percent are in favour, with 24 percent against, 14 percent neutral and 2 percent who don't know.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,39529029,00.htm

+ Civil servants' pro-Labour memo reignites child data controversy - The Register 23/10/08 +
The Conservatives have called on the government to explain why supposedly impartial civil servants have intervened in a political argument over how sensitive data on children should be stored and shared. Earlier this week the Department for Children, Schools and Families wrote to local authorities to argue that Labour's plans for the forthcoming ContactPoint database are the best to protect children from abuse.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/23/contactpoint_memo/

(Please send me any items of interest you encounter - Editor(newsletter@no2id.net) )