Chris Mason: The climbdowns stack up for Starmer

"What he had to say that day was rather overshadowed by the swirling storm around his then Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who 24 hours later was out of a job. What those around him were describing as "phase 2" of his government was already off to a bumpy start, but digital ID was seen as a defining idea of the parliament that the prime minister could own and then lean into the arguments it provokes with his opponents, within his party and beyond it."

"The thing is it provoked a lot of arguments, perhaps more than he had anticipated, including among some Labour MPs. It was the mandatory element that became the magnet for the stickiest criticisms. The idea cratered in popularity. It revived so many of the arguments that nuked the last Labour government's plans for ID cards about two decades ago. The sense from critics of an overbearing state, a 'show us your papers' society."

"So what have ministers done? They have junked the mandatory element of it. People will still have to digitally prove they have the right to work but could use other things to do it. This new government digital ID will not be essential. The argument I hear within government is they are ditching the bit that is unpopular, but keeping something people might choose to use themselves because it could make accessing public services easier, for instance."

Sir Keir Starmer proposed mandatory digital ID for workers as a flagship policy. The proposal formed part of a planned 'phase 2' following a turbulent start to government. The mandatory requirement provoked extensive criticism, revived objections that sank earlier ID card plans and stoked fears of an overbearing, 'show us your papers' state. Ministers removed the mandatory component while retaining a voluntary government digital ID that could simplify access to public services. Workers will still need to prove their right to work but may use alternative methods. The original emphasis on cracking down on illegal migration and illegal working has been diluted.

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