Manchester Labour reject Council refund for ID scheme

2.46.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 16th Jul 2010

Labour wasted billions on ID Cards

Manchester Labour's Town Hall bosses have rejected a Lib Dem motion to refund those residents who took part in Labour's failed ID card pilot scheme.

Liberal Democrat Crime and Disorder Spokesperson, Councillor Jackie Pearcey said,

"I'm glad the ID Card scheme has been scrapped, as this would have seriously impacted on the civil liberties of everybody whilst doing little or nothing to combat crime. Labour in Manchester supported ID Cards. They promised that the ID Cards would be a cheap alternative to a passport for travel within the EU."

 Jackie added

"Labour in Manchester misled residents into buying these cards, even though they knew that they would almost certainly be abolished after the election.  As a result, many local people are out of pocket.  As the Council was enthusiastically backing these cards, we should refund our residents."

 Ends...