Michelle Dewberry warns Britons over Labour’s 'appalling' Digital ID plan: ‘It doesn’t sit well with me at all’

The proposed Digital IDs announced by Sir Keir earlier this year, to be introduced by 2029, would be mandatory for anyone working in the UK as part of efforts to clamp down on illegal working and therefore curb illegal migration.

But he was keen to stress that "apart from the right to work", it "won’t be mandatory".

Pollster and fellow presenter Matthew Goodwin called the move “another example” of the democratic contract being broken, and insisting he no longer trusts the British state with such sensitive powers.

Speaking on The People's Channel, Michelle said: "It doesn’t sit well with me. This whole notion that the current Government could force Digital ID, make it mandatory, for all of us.

"This was not in their manifesto, and no one voted for this kind of stuff. I think it’s appalling.”

Matthew said: “Well, I agree. It wasn’t in Labour’s manifesto. It’s another example of the democratic contract being violated by this party.

"There’s so much that has never been in the manifestos of either of the two big parties, yet has been imposed on the British people regardless.

“And to be frank, Michelle, I don’t trust the British state anymore with ID.

"I don’t trust a state that couldn’t even preside properly over things like the Horizon scandal, the NHS infected blood scandal, a state that has been pretty incompetent on all of the big issues of the day. So I’m pretty firmly opposed to Digital ID.”

Michelle said: “Well, loads of people are so chuffed today because it’s come out that net migration has actually reduced.

"They’re celebrating this fact, but they shouldn’t be celebrating it, actually.

“One of the primary reasons that net migration is down, ladies and gents, is because of the sheer volume of British nationals who have actually decided to leave this country."

Over 2.9 million people have backed a petition opposing the scheme, and polling by More in Common shows public support for Digital ID cards has plummeted, dropping from 35 per cent in early summer to minus 14 per cent following Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement in September.

The Prime Minister has now handed central Government overall responsibility for the initiative.

In a written ministerial statement, he said: “To deliver this cross-government priority, the Cabinet Office will take full responsibility for the new digital identity scheme, including policy development, legislation, and strategic oversight.”

The scheme will operate in coordination with other departments, including the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, which will lead on technical design, development, and implementation.