(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Britain are split over the introduction of high-end identity cards by the government, according to a poll by YouGov published in The Economist. 48 per cent of respondents think ID cards and biometric information are a good idea, while 45 per cent believe the plan is an invasion of privacy.

In 2006, the House of Commons approved the Identity Cards Act, effectively creating Britain’s National Identity Register (NIR). The NIR is due to store up to 49 different items on everyone living in the country, including fingerprints, DNA, home address and telephone numbers. The legislation stipulates that, starting in 2009, everybody in Britain will hold a "smart" biometric ID card linked to the national register. The card will be required for access to public services such as doctors’ surgeries, unemployment offices, libraries and others.

In June 2007, Gordon Brown officially became Labour leader and prime minister, replacing Tony Blair. Brown had worked as chancellor of the exchequer. Blair served as Britain’s prime minister since May 1997, winning majority mandates in the 1997, 2001 and 2005 elections to the House of Commons.

Last month, Brown defended the ID card plan, saying, "Opponents of the identity card scheme like to suggest that its sole motivation is to enhance the power of the state. But, in fact, it starts from a recognition of the importance of something which is fundamental to the rights of the individual: the right to have your identity protected and secure. (...) We have made this clear in the legislation—that the identity card scheme will not be used to place new requirements on people.

Polling Data

Britons have not, until now, been required to carry proof of identity in peacetime. The government proposes introducing an ID card, and backing it up with a comprehensive database including biometric information about everyone in Britain. Which of these statements comes closer to your view?

Source: YouGov / The Economist
Methodology: Online interviews with 2,073 British voters, conducted from Jun. 17 to Jun. 19, 2008. No margin of error was provided.

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