New Government scraps ID card scheme and seeks further measures to protect people’s privacy and enhance freedom of public information

It has been historic to watch the creation of a peacetime Government between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. And how fascinating to see where both parties agree or disagree, and how they resolve their differences to form their planned way forward. But one area in which both parties have agreed is in doing more to protect civil liberties. The controversial ID scheme and associated National Identity Register are being scrapped. Likewise, the national DNA database will be watered down so that only convicted criminals and people arrested for serious offences will be on it. CCTV will be more regulated. Meanwhile, the freedom of information laws will be opened up so that there will be greater transparency in what the State does. Jury trials will also be preserved. All in all, the new Government seems determined to do more to protect people’s civil liberties and more to roll back the right of the State to rule over its citizens.