Howard promises ID card review

Michael Howard today tried to head off a major Tory revolt against ID cards by promising a full review of the scheme after the election.

He dangled the prospect of a new Conservative government dumping the plan as 30 to 40 of his MPs threatened to rebel against his backing it.

Labour was also facing a serious rebellion in tonight's vote, with around 30 Labour MPs unhappy with the Identity Cards Bill.

But Home Secretary Charles Clarke accused critics of " liberal woolly thinking", while signalling minor concessions such as cheap cards for people on low incomes.

The Bill looked certain to be passed by a big majority, not least because Tory whips have quietly given the day off to several dozen backbenchers threatening to vote against.

Right-wingers were taking a lead from Lady Thatcher, who reportedly told a private meeting last week that cards were "a Germanic concept completely alien to this country".

There was speculation that shadow cabinet member John Redwood, a long-standing opponent, was considering his position. Big name Tory rebels include two ex-ministers and two former frontbenchers.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Howard said the "threat to life and liberty from terrorism is so great that it would be irresponsible to dismiss out of hand any proposal put forward by the police and security services".

But in a major concession the Opposition leader added: "David Davis and I are committed to an incoming Conservative government undertaking a complete review of Labour's proposals."

Mr Davis is another opponent of the Bill but is bound by his shadow cabinet membership to vote in favour. He will call for the proposals to be scrutinised by a joint Commons and Lords committee.

Britain abolished ID cards more than 50 years ago, but Tony Blair is determined to reintroduce them in 2007 to combat terrorism, fraud and illegal working. Cards will cost ?80 or more and could double as a passport.

Writing in The Times, Mr Clarke claimed: "They will help to make everyone a bit safer, at no real cost to civil liberties. I believe some critics ... are guilty of liberal woolly thinking and spreading false fears when they wrongly claim that ID cards will usher in the 'Big Brother' society".

The Labour rebellion was confused by the resignation of David Blunkett, who drove through the cards scheme. Some rebels reacted by swinging into line, and whips are said to feel no more than 20 will actually vote against.