The problem with the database state is that it criminalises ordinary and harmless people while the louts go free.  Whether it’s policewomen not allowed to look after each other’s children or headmasters being sacked for out of date fishing licences the criminalising of the harmless seems to be the abiding failure of law enforcement today.  The ID card will of course take this further.

Anti-social behaviour is a real and very nasty stain on people’s lives.  Even down to firebugs burning grass on Wherstead Road or raucous all night parties on Rectory Road, this is when the streets start to get out of control.  No ID card will sort that out if all the kids get is a kiss, cuddle and caution.  Crime and anti-social behaviour is caused by a small minority of people, and the system should be focussing on that minority, not the vast majority who may overfill their dustbin after Christmas.

Luckily there is a group in Ipswich that wants to do something about ID cards.  They should be in the town centre next week.