UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Plans Mandatory Digital ID Scheme Amidst Northern Ireland Opposition

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer plans to introduce a mandatory digital ID scheme, dubbed the 'Brit-Card,' intended to verify individuals' right to live and work in the UK, aiming to reduce illegal immigration. The system would require people starting new jobs or renting homes to present the digital ID via a smartphone app checked against a central database. The proposal has faced strong criticism, particularly from Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Sinn Féin, who argue it is "ludicrous," "ill-thought out," and an attack on the Good Friday Agreement and the rights of Irish citizens in Northern Ireland. The government insists that any digital ID system would comply with the Good Friday Agreement and respect citizens' rights. The initiative follows a shift in public attitudes toward digital identification, with Starmer noting the increased prevalence of digital IDs in daily life compared to 20 years ago. The scheme will be subject to consultation, including considerations for those without smartphones or passports, but some politicians remain opposed due to concerns over practicality and civil liberties.