Card crime

Like John Thorpe (Letters, 10 May) I carry several pieces of identity with me when I leave the house - driving licence, bank cards, etc. But what I object to in the idea of compulsory ID cards is the compulsory bit.

Here in Amsterdam, I am committing an offence if I pop round to the shop and forget to take my passport with me. Similarly, I have to take it to the pub with me if I go out for a beer. This isn’t something I like doing with such an important document. Nevertheless, not to do so would be illegal.

Making normally law-abiding citizens into criminals for forgetting to carry a card with them is not the mark of a civilised society.

ALASTAIR McINNES

Lindenstraat

Amsterdam

Unlike the card proposed by our current masters, the cardboard ID John Thorpe carried during the war was not linked to a gigantic database capable of tracking his every movement and transaction, and could not have been used to produce reports of those activities at a moment’s notice, for the edification and amusement of practically any state official or any nefarious acquaintance of such an official. ID is not the point: surveillance is. If Mr Thorpe is in favour of that, let him say so. I am not.

ANDREW DUFFIN

Barganock Road

Kirkmichael, Ayrshire

Like John Thorpe, I don’t object to having a driving licence, passport or bank card, but then I can choose not to learn to drive, travel abroad or have a bank account. If the government has its way, I won’t be able to choose whether or not to carry an ID card.

I believe in democracy, just like Mr Thorpe; unlike him I also believe democracy means that government should be accountable to the people, not the other way round.

R FORREST

Culcairn, Evanton

Ross & Cromarty