“Even if the Prime Minister can force his Brit Card idea through the House of Commons, I'm sure it’s dead on arrival in the House of Lords. Let's do the math. The  Conservatives are against, as are the Liberal Democrats. I suspect that many Cross Benchers will be the same, along with unionists and others. Labour doesn't have a majority, and this idea was not included in the Labour manifesto; therefore, the Lords are under no obligation to pass such a Bill.

“Sadly, it's another back of a fag packet idea with no research or pre-legislative scrutiny. It will have no impact on illegal immigration. The problem the PM has is that the measures which will stop the boats would represent a huge humiliation for Keir Starmer and his band of North London human rights lawyers. It is the fact that he is imposing on the people of this country obligations which were negotiated over 80 years ago in the wake of World War 2. They made sense then, but clearly make no sense now. The Refugee Convention of 1951 is among the most prominent treaties allowing people to claim asylum.

“Figures just released show that the net increase in the UK's population was over 750,000 in 2024. This followed an increase of over 1,000,000 in 2023

“No country can survive this level of immigration. The vast numbers requiring benefits and access to the health service and housing are overwhelming the country.

“With over 180,000 arriving illegally in small boats in recent years, costing us a fortune, the Government has completely lost control.

“The proposal to have digital identity cards, if it would stop the illegal immigration, might be worth looking at, but it will have no effect on the gangs and those exploiting our hospitality.

“Furthermore, the public's trust in HMG to protect their data is practically nil. Hackers are on the rampage, and data leaks are rampant. Even the data of young children at nursery schools has been stolen. Recent cases have included Marks & Spencer and the Co-Op, and just look what's happening at Jaguar/Land Rover!

“Absolutely no consultation has taken place with Northern Ireland Parties and none in Parliament either.  How can such a serious proposal be put forward in a Parliamentary recess? It looks like a panic-stricken measure. I cannot see how this idea will gain traction. People have had enough government interference in their lives already, and not even Government Ministers believe our data services are capable of dealing with this plan for state overreach.

“The PM should withdraw this measure and really confront the issue of both legal and illegal immigration. In 2023, we were bringing over 20,000 people per week into this country. In 2024, it was 15,000 per week. This must stop now.”