Libertarian Party supports British Airline Pilots Association against ID cards

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Libertarian Party Support For BALPA Over ID Cards Press Release Posted by Patrick on Nov 20 2008 Press Releases Press Release +++++ PRESS RELEASE +++++ IMMEDIATE ++++ 19/11/08 The Libertarian Party UK has today sent the following letter of support to Jim McAuslan, Gen Sec of BALPA offering our support to their proposed industrial action against the moves by Jacqui Smith to impose ID Cards onto airline workers. Dear Mr McAuslan, We in the Libertarian Party UK would like to take the opportunity to offer our full and unwavering support to the action that Balpa is considering with regard to the enforced take up of ID Cards on your members. We have long considered that ID Cards in the UK are little if nothing to do with security, but merely to serve the Government aims of corporatism, providing legislative protection to those big business partners who are willing to join it. The moves this week to allow retail outlets and the Post Office to collect the data for these cards is in our view insidious. It is also becoming clearer with every passing week that nothing to do with ID Cards will be voluntary, and eventually we can envisage a country where to obtain any goods or services an ID Card presentation would be required, making it defacto compulsory. I would be grateful if you would pass on our message of support and solidarity in this matter to your members at your upcoming conference. If we can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. With kindest regards Ian Parker-Joseph Party Leader - Libertarian Party UK www.lpuk.org We are also be pleased at this time to offer our full political support to the NO2ID campaign and endorse their activities in opposing the introduction of an ID Card in the UK. Media questions can be sent to our media team on media@lpuk.org NOTES FOR EDITORS 1) The Libertarian Party was founded on November 21st 2007 and officially launched on January 1st 2008. The party's website can be found at: http://www.lpuk.org 2) Further details of the party's policies can be found in our manifesto: http://www.lpuk.org/pages/manifesto.php 3) The Libertarian Party UK is a minarchist party utilising political philosophy based on support for individual liberty. Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarianism 4) The Party's blog regularly examines how the UK is slipping into the totalitarian vision portrayed by Orwell. See, for example, here: http://lpuk.blogspot.com/2008/10/1984-arrogant-tom-harris-mp-just-doesnt.html 5) Details of the NO2ID campaign can be found on their website http://www.no2id.net/......................... Here's a press release from BALPA giving a bit more of the background to this particular dispute:PILOTS WARN ON ID CARDS The British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) has warned the Government to think again about forcing pilots and other airport workers to hold the new National Identity Card. Said BALPA General Secretary Jim McAuslan:'The Government's early warning system should be flashing over our opposition to the plan.' Parliament passed the measure on the basis that the ID cards would be voluntary. However on Friday (November 21) Ministers are expected to publish draft regulations to set up a trial requiring airside staff at Manchester and London City airports to sign up for an ID card before they can get security passes to work there. Said Jim McAuslan: 'We have explained time after time why the ID cards will not improve airport security. The Government is just seeking to use our members as guinea pigs.' BALPA is holding its annual conference at Heathrow this weekend and delegates will discuss the union's reaction to the Government's intransigence. 'If the regulations are approved, and if pilots who refuse to register for an ID card are thereby denied access airside to their aircraft, putting their jobs at risk, there will be widespread anger,' Jim McAuslan declared. 'We want to avoid an industrial dispute, we want the Government to think again. We are consulting our lawyers and will determine our future action.' For further details contact Keith Bill on 020 8656 0860 or 07968 528 527