I.D Cards and Labour Conference 21-28/09/25

This Week in Westminster Weekly...

1. Digital I.D.
2. Labour Party Conference

Digital I.D.

On Friday, Keir Starmer set out his plan for a new mandatory digital ID in the U.K., inspired by a model from Estonia. The government believes it could help deal with illegal immigration, but opinion is split amongst the public. A petition against the scheme has already gathered more than 2.3 million signatures at the time of writing. Critics argue it won’t fix the immigration issue, but the P.M Keir Starmer disagrees saying "People travel through France, Which is a Safe country, to come to the United Kingdom is amongst the reasons is because it is easier to work in our illegal economy than it is in other countries." He thinks that having a digital I.D will deter more people. But these I.D cards raise big questions about accessibility, especially for people without smartphones or laptops. The government has promised an “inclusive” system and a public consultation is expected later this year, but many remain sceptical.

I.D. cards aren’t a new idea. Tony Blair tried to introduce them in 2005, only for the public to reject the plan over concerns about cost, fairness and privacy. Those same concerns are back again today. Starmer has said that without a digital I.D. people won’t be able to work in the U.K. But questions remain about how it would actually work for those who are older, less tech-savvy, or who simply prefer a physical card. The debate is likely to keep running, as the balance between tackling immigration, protecting data privacy and ensuring fairness is not easy to strike. And something that not many people have been picking up on is how if you're already working you're not going to have to re-apply for jobs. This means that people who are working illegally in the U.K already are very unlikely to be affected because of this.

Labour’s New Towns Initiative

At the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool today, housing was front and centre. The government announced plans for 12 new towns across England, with the first three set to be in Tempsford, Crews Hill and Leeds South Bank. Together, the towns could provide up to 300,000 homes, with Labour pledging that at least 40 percent will be affordable. The idea is to ease the housing crisis and create communities that are not just places to live but places to thrive. It is a big promise, though questions about funding and delivery are already being asked, and things are being pointed out about how hard planning permission is to get at the moment, and these towns are so far away from being finished we may as well just forget them.

But the new towns plan also fits into a bigger narrative Labour is trying to build about renewal and growth. By promising new infrastructure, better transport links and modern housing, they are aiming to show they are serious about tackling long-term problems that other governments have left unresolved. If delivered, it could reshape whole regions, but critics warn that past housing promises have often fallen short once the reality of planning battles and costs sets in.

The wider backdrop here is the housing crisis itself. Rents are rising faster than wages, home ownership feels out of reach for many, and young people in particular face the prospect of living with parents for longer or relying on unstable rental agreements. The average age of first home buyers is now nearing 30. Labour’s announcement is designed to show they understand the scale of the problem and are prepared to think big. Whether that message cuts through depends on how quickly people see progress.

What This week in Westminster means for Young People

For young people, these debates are not just about politics in Westminster. A digital I.D. could change how we access work, education and even travel. The housing plans could also matter a great deal to a generation often priced out of the housing market. If Labour delivers, it might mean more affordable homes and a better chance at independence. But if the plans stall, it could add to the frustration many already feel about being locked out of opportunities.

Looking Ahead

The conference has shown both ambition and tension within Labour. Andy Burnham continues to be talked about as a possible challenger to Starmer’s leadership, entertaining the idea which is adding a layer of uncertainty. Meanwhile, the government’s promises on housing and digital I.D. will be tested quickly. For now, the mood is one of cautious interest. People want solutions, but they also want honesty about how realistic these ideas really are. Next Week is the Conservative Party Conference, and I'll be covering that here at Westminster Weekly, next Sunday.

 

Westminster Weekly,

Every Sunday,

Written By Gruffydd Morris,

Chief Political Editor,

Young & Political

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