A rather colourful analogy you've got going there Mr Jim... I for one am happy that we have the Lords. It stops bollocks legislation like these ID cards from slipping through unnoticed and gives a level of stability to the system, rather then just being about 'trendy' policies.

ID cards will possibly be one of the biggest wastes of money the current government has attempted. If we are not forced to carry them, then those who don't want to be identified won't, and if they want to have identities they will be easily forged. I'm not one to whinge about the 'erosion of privacy', I actually quite like the CCTV culture we have in the UK. What the government wants from these cards, and what will be achieved don't seem to match. They might as well catalogue the population and genetically profile us all. I'm sure that day will come (V for Vendetta anyone?).

As for the cards, why don’t we test if the Lords truly act in the interest of the public and hold a referendum on the motion? Perhaps the government fears they might not like the result.