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| Islington Liberal Democrats | <info@islington-libdems.org.uk> | 15th March 2010 |
Bridget Fox and London Lib Dems back the Renew for Freedom campaign12.55.00pm GMT Thu 1st Mar 2007
Bridget Fox has joined the campaign encouraging people to renew their passport now to avoid getting caught up in the Government's new ID card system. Islington & Finsbury residents who apply for new passports after March 26th will have to travel to an 'enrolment' centre to face an intrusive interview for the passport which should be their right as citizens. The cost has already gone up to at least £66, with further steep price rises to come - the basic price once ID cards are introduced is going to be at least £93. There will be massive queues at weekends or people will have to use up precious holiday time just to get a passport. The UK ID & Passport Service estimates 1 in 4 will have to cancel their travel plans, because they do not get a passport in time. Young people who are getting their first passport are first in line for the new interviews - and if they miss out, the whole family suffers. Bridget says: "This is yet another example of control freakery and stealth taxes from the Labour government. The new passport interview will be used to collect personal information about you, and share it with strangers, even if you have done nothing wrong. This has nothing to do with protecting our safety or making our lives easier. The Government seems to think putting us all on a database is the answer to all society's problems from terrorism to traffic congestion. Given the failure rate of Government IT projects, you think they would know better by now! The Government is already wasting £97,000 a day on the expensive, illiberal ID card scheme. They should scrap it and use the money to pay for more police officers - a much more practical way to fight crime. "There is an alternative. By applying for your passport BEFORE 26th March, you can protect yourself, and send a message to the Government. Everyone over 16 should renew their passport now to avoid this pointless and expensive bureaucracy. You can renew at any time, regardless of how long your passport has to run. I'm renewing my passport early and I urge others to do the same. Hurry - there's just one month left!" Bridget was joined by Lib Dem campaigners from across London and the NO2ID campaign in their recent protest at the Angel. Related Links:
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Related News Stories:Sun 14th Mar 2010: Bridget leads Liberal Democrat defence of internet freedom. Fri 4th Dec 2009: Bridget Fox signs up for Greenpeace HFC campaign. Fri 6th Nov 2009: Bridget backs Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. Wed 21st Oct 2009: Bridget and the Lib Dems back justice for Equitable Life policy holders. Fri 10th Jul 2009: Bridget Fox condemns Thornberry 10p tax vote as a stab in the back for Islington's low-paid workers. Sat 7th Feb 2009: Nick Clegg backs Bridget's campaign for fairer fuel bills. Fri 23rd Jan 2009: Bridget launches campaign for fairer fuel bills. Wed 24th Sep 2008: Bridget and Sarah back EU ban on illegal timber. Fri 18th Jul 2008: Lib Dems join forces to back Kings Cross bridge campaign. Sat 7th Jun 2008: BENDY BUSES: BRIDGET CONDEMNS "BACK-TRACKING BORIS". Tue 6th Mar 2007: Lib Dems say, "Renew your passport before it's too late". Wed 13th Sep 2006: Lib Dem Councillors Promote Renew for Freedom Campaign. Fri 29th Apr 2005: Former Labour MP joins the campaign trail for Bridget and Laura. Wed 23rd Mar 2005: Government must not let casinos in by the back door says Bridget Fox. Mon 7th Mar 2005: Bridget calls for cleaner London water. Fri 7th May 2004: Lib Dems back Breakthrough Breast Cancer campaign. Thu 24th Apr 2003: Bridget takes Post Office campaign to Downing Street. Wed 8th Aug 2001: Published and promoted by Dominic Mathon on behalf of the Liberal Democrats both at 3N Leroy House, 436 Essex Rd N1 3QP. The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider. |
