Mark Johnson

Thankfully they are all held separately to protect our privacy!

Why I will rebel against Keir Starmer’s digital ID card – and so should you The UK is not a ‘papers, please’ society and we must resist any attempts to change that

Writing in the Scotsman this evening on Keir Starmer’s newly confirmed mandatory digital ID card scheme - and why I do not intend to go along with it.

Thread:

www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Well said!

Thank you Mark 🙏

Thank you for standing up for civil liberties and trying to ensure people are not digitally excluded @lisasmartmp.bsky.social @victoria-collins.bsky.social

“Liberal Democrats cannot support a mandatory digital ID where people are forced to turn over their private data just to go about their daily lives... People shouldn’t be turned into criminals just because they can’t have a digital ID, or choose not to.” — Victoria Collins, Liberal Democrat Science, Innovation and Technology Spokesperson.

Liberal Democrats cannot support mandatory digital IDs. People shouldn't be criminalised just because they don't want to hand over their private data.

I spoke this week at an event held by @bigbrotherwatch.bsky.social on their latest report on digital ID. Keir Starmer's government is reportedly aiming to introduce such a system - Big Brother Watch's report sets out the serious problems with digital ID for the UK, something liberals must resist.

Very good point well made Nick!

Thanks Richard!!!

Great thread from @markjohnson.bsky.social here. 👇🏻

There are huge risks to civil liberties with mandatory digital ID systems, and it would be irresponsible to build one when the threat of a Reform government is so real.

The @libdems.org.uk need to be firmly opposed if this is what Labour propose.

@alghaff.bsky.social @paulbernal.bsky.social

As a minimum the @libdems.org.uk should demand that Labour’s scheme is made optional and if not, in keeping with the party’s longstanding commitment to protecting civil liberties, they should oppose the Government’s plans.
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk @lisasmartmp.bsky.social @amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social

The privacy & equality risks will be inherent in any scheme but the key is ensuring that any system is OPTIONAL. As civil liberties campaign groups have called for.

In my current work supporting people who have fled war and persecution in Australia, I can see how these groups are often excluded from ID systems.

Supporting these systems risks excluding those people as well as the elderly and other groups who are digitally excluded.

Compulsory ID card systems, particularly digital ones, pose risks to privacy and equality (the right to be treated equally under the law) in society.

Given the Lib Dems are often accused of not having a clear identity, it would probably be sensible not to abandon liberalism too

🧵🔶

(Cross posted from X)

I joined @libdems.org.uk 10 years ago. I’ve worked for the party, campaigned for it and stood as a candidate. Turning on civil liberties and losing sight of the principles of promoting a free and open society would undermine the entire purpose of the Lib Dems for me.

We said Max!!

The arrest of four people after this incident is an outrageous affront to the freedom of expression enjoyed by UK citizens. It is a human right we all enjoy and is protected in law.
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NSW police have dropped all charges against Hannah Thomas, who was arrested and charged at a pro-Palestine protest in June www.theguardian.com/austral...

The former Greens candidate underwent two rounds of surgery to her right eye, with her lawyers alleging she was punched in the face by police

Angela Rayner’s exit proves it. Unless Starmer is able to meet this moment, Reform is on the path to power | John Harris The prime minister increasingly looks like a man next to a burning house, offering to buy a new bookcase and rug, says Guardian columnist John Harris

"Reform UK is not just riding high thanks to Farage’s shamelessness and skill. Amazingly, Labour is actively helping."

- great analysis from @johnharris1969.bsky.social as always

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

3 years ago today I caught up with David McBride in Parliament to discuss his case - he still thought the system might be fair. Today he is still in prison in Canberra and whistleblower laws are still broken. A stain on this country.

Statement on the passing of the Albanese Government's Anti-Fairness Bill - ASC Today, the Asylum Seekers Centre stands in deep disbelief as we witness the Albanese government pass legislation that strips away the most basic legal

The Albanese government's Anti-Fairness Bill, which will pave the way for mass deportations, has passed the Senate.

We are devastated and in disbelief.

https://loom.ly/2v-GSD8

Thank you again @davidshoebridge.bsky.social for representing the serious concerns of the community.

Up to 80,000 people in Australia may be affected by ‘sledgehammer’ powers to deport noncitizens to Nauru, lawyers warn Greens senator David Shoebridge accuses Tony Burke of ‘doing his Peter Dutton impression, dog-whistling and punching down on migrants’

Up to 80,000 people in Australia may be affected by ‘sledgehammer’ powers to deport non-citizens to Nauru, lawyers warn

“The government desperately wants to avoid oversight because these changes are just so toxic” - @davidshoebridge.bsky.social 👏

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

While Labor spins lines about cohesion its inhumane migration choices betray a disregard for human rights | Elijah Buol We must fight for the Australia we wish to see – the one that welcomed me, an unaccompanied minor, orphaned by war * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast At this moment, a democratically elected government of a western nation is preparing to pass a bill that would see non-citizens deported without giving them proper warning or the chance to challenge the decision. That same government is making secret deals worth almost half a billion dollars with questionable overseas regimes to ship migrants and refugees offshore, all while avoiding accountability and scrutiny. Elijah Buol OAM is a former refugee and CEO of the Asylum Seekers Centre in Sydney Continue reading...

While Labor spins lines about cohesion its inhumane migration choices betray a disregard for human rights | Elijah Buol

While Labor spins lines about cohesion, its inhumane migration choices betray a disregard for human rights | Elijah Buol We must fight for the Australia we wish to see – the one that welcomed me, an unaccompanied minor orphaned by war

Labor's new anti-fairness bill is failing human rights and our nation's cornerstones of fairness, justice, and equity, writes our CEO Elijah Buol via @australia.theguardian.com

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

This is no way to pass legislation that has a serious bearing on human rights.

At a time when authoritarian forces around the world are demonising migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum, the Australian Gvt could stand up for human rights and the rule of law. Instead they are denigrating it.

The Government have allowed less than one week of scrutiny for a Bill that specifically removes natural justice and erodes due process when it comes to deportations.

Yesterday Labor voted against allowing Australia's Parliamentary Human Rights Committee from scrutinising the Bill.

⚠ The Australian Gvt is on course to ram a new mass deportations Bill through Parliament this week, starting in the House of Representatives today.

This Labor Gvt have already inspired the Trump Administration with deals with third-party countries for refugee deportations but are expanding powers.

"On Sunday, so-called Marches for Australia will take place across the country. These are the angry and divisive voices of a tiny minority spreading hate from a position of fear, with no idea what Australia truly means." - Elijah Buol OAM, ASC CEO

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