Sir Keir Starmer's announcement of his digital ID plans was overshadowed by the dismissal of his then Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, just a day later. This announcement took place in September at a BAE Systems site in Glasgow, amidst heavy rains.
The Prime Minister has now reversed his decision to make digital ID mandatory for UK workers, signaling a significant adjustment in one of his flagship policy proposals this autumn.
This move follows the bumpy start to what was described as 'phase 2' of his administration. Digital ID had been seen as a pivotal initiative for the government, intended to define this parliament and engage opponents both within and outside the Labour Party. However, it faced substantial criticism, notably regarding the mandatory aspect, which revitalized debates reminiscent of the controversial ID card proposals from the previous Labour government two decades ago.
Critics argued against the overreach of a 'show us your papers' society, leading to the removal of the mandatory requirement. Although workers will still need to verify their right to work digitally, they can now use various methods to do so. The digital ID will be optional rather than obligatory.
Within the government, the discourse suggests a strategic shift to discard the unpopular facets while retaining elements that consumers might voluntarily adopt, such as facilitating access to public services.
The initial rationale for the digital ID — targeting illegal migration and unlawful employment — has been abandoned. The focus has shifted to the digital ID as a consumer-friendly tool.
A government insider described the objective as eliminating cultural conflicts and highlighting practical use cases that appeal to many. Meanwhile, opposition parties have welcomed this reversal, while continuing to critique the government.
Downing Street now faces the political challenge of managing a series of policy reversals. Recent weeks have seen similar retreats on business rates for pubs and inheritance tax for farmers, following earlier changes in stances on income tax, benefit cuts, and winter fuel payments.
Both internal and external critics are closely observing Starmer's leadership. Just prior to this latest shift, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who harbors aspirations for the premiership, emphasized the importance of 'getting it right first time' — a goal that remains a work in progress for Sir Keir Starmer.