'David Blunkett has long considered national identity cards as the answer. In the home secretary's mind, it is just that the British public has yet to ask the question. There is good reason for this: voters are reluctant to let government keep tabs on them and do not trust ministers to protect their privacy. History also points in the opposite direction to Mr Blunkett's hunches. Compulsory identity cards have been used during two world wars - but were dropped in peacetime. The home secretary appears undeterred.' link