Don't let your ID be stolen (by the Government)

Continuing debate in the household on the Government's intention to charge every so-called citizen (or subject, as we are more accurately constitutionally-speaking)for an Identity Card. Only the dear Lib Dems held firm, rejecting the voluntary-cum-creeping-compulsory nature of the forthcoming legislation.

Already the most surveillanced country in the world (even more than the USA), I remain convinced that I don't like the fact that, within a couple of years, my right to travel or entitlement to benefits will be dependent on the acquisition of an ID card. We are constantly told to be on our guard for ID theft which costs the country (and people) millions of pounds, but what about our personal details in the hands of non-scrupulous individuals or hidden authorities? Our rights are being eroded and not enough people seem to care.

And even when enough people do care (say, on the matter of the invasion of Iraq), our voices are ignored, our documents tampered with, and information we seek witheld. What can we do? Well, firstly, I think we should 'de-couple' from the States - at least until they have a more reasonable President and Congress. I'd also like us to tell Blair and his cohorts, that they don't represent the views of the majority.

Apathy is the true danger. We will lose our protections, power will be centralised in the hands of a few, and minorities - here and overseas - will continue to live in fear.

When I was last an elected councillor (in the 1980s) the poll tax riots took place. At one point, a bailiff came to the door, threatening to re-possess our house because I hadn't cast my vote in favour of the poll-tax. Many years later, while the world has changed, not much has changed locally - certainly in terms of abuses of power. Back in the 1980s, one Councillor Charles Clarke (now Home Secretary) was in charge of housing in my borough. As he's moved up the ranks, his party has shifted to the right.

I received a letter today from the 'Directorate of Law & Democratic Services' confirming my nomination as a candidate in the local elections on 4th May. I am standing for office so that voters have a choice. We used to say in my part of East London, put up a sheep with red rosette, and it'd win. We got Diane Abbot as our Member of Parliament - eeks!

On a lighter note, I am the new proud owner of a baby grand piano which is delivered next week. Can't wait. It's shiny black and has beautiful resonant tones which will echo Bach, Debussy and Nina Simone amongst many others.