David Blunkett has finally got his ID card - of course, he states that it is for the control of illegal immigrants but I don't buy but it. The ID card WILL NOT STOP immigrants coming in (legal or illegal). If he was really interested in cutting down the numbers he would strengthen borders and pursue a more enlightened long-term approach to illegal immigration such as more overseas aid to countries who are home to most of the immigrants. Many immmigrants that I know are fleeing areas of war and poverty caused in many parts by ourselves and our lifestyles and our meddling. Look at Iraq now: their citizens are free but damned if they come here. We've bombed their country, smashed some of their cities - they're free but don't come here. You have democracy now - but don't choose to come here. You're not welcome.

Once an immigrant arrives in the UK, he or she can disappear very quickly - many have families or friends and can rely on a network of contacts. It willl cost money and time for us (the tax payer) to find them and deport them. Better we spent that money on improving their countries and their lives - should make it a happier world too huh? Besides, many immigrants that I know only want to have the chance to work and work hard for their living. Stealing our jobs? Give me a break - does the average UK citizen really want the toilet cleaning jobs, the road sweeping jobs and the garbage collection jobs? I think not otherwise in London (as an example) I will see mainly white faces running the ONYX garbage collection vehicles, I will see mainly white faces cleaning and sweeping up in restaurants after me and mainly white faces as cleaners. Immigrants don't steal our jobs - they're not the lazy ones. Sure, you do get a handful lazy, bone-idle immigrants with dozens of kids leeching onto the social security but the majority of welfare beneficiaries are British and not immigrant. This country is not being swamped, if anything we need more not less to plug the gaps we have in the social services and such....the pay is so low that most Brits won't touch it.

No, the ID card is for the existing citizens of the UK. It is to keep tabs on us, the electorate and not the poor illiterate immigrant. If you are not required by law to carry the ID card, why bother to have it? Of course, you still have to pay an extra £25 for it and register but you are not required by law to have it. Strange I think. It is a short step before some event (terrorist?) that will suddenly force all patriotic citizens to carry their ID cards. Tthere will be road blocks everywhere and police spot checks to make sure that 'you are legal' and 'part of the system'.

Conspiracy theory? I don't subscribe to it but I do believe in this Government's desire to control everything.