I agree wholeheartedly with Mr Blair on this hugely important issue. Personal identity and an easy, reliable means of verifying it are essential to transforming the "jungle" we live in at the moment (where vicious predators, parasites, etc. are able to thrive and conceal themselves) into a more civilized society.

 

However, I can understand why so many people are unhappy at the thought of "government", or "anyone" being in possession, and controlling the content and use, of so much personal information about themselves. The massive - and in many ways, understandable - resistance they will put up will be very difficult to overcome.

 

The solution is the creation of a "Personal Identity File" (and the open-source software necessary to handle it), which each individual will have direct control and jurisdiction over (vigorously protected by law). It will need to contain a minimum amount of obligatory information  (decided by Parliament), but should also be capable of containing, or facilitating controlled access to, optional information of the individual's own choice.

For example, I would like everyone who is interested to know how sustainable (or not) my lifestyle is, and about the social and environmental impact of how I earn, spend and invest my money. I would also like them to know that my DNA profile is contained in the (yet to be created) Voluntary National DNA Database, helping the police in its job of tracking down (and deterring!) criminals.

2nd Post