Meg Hillier, a junior Minister of the Interior (with special reponsibility for knowing where everyone lives), went on a trip to Hungary (I wonder who paid for that, not us by any chance?). While she was there, she was “struck” by the fact that all Hungarian 14-year olds carry ID cards with them. So guess what? Ms Hillier has decided that if Hungary - with it’s long and noble traditions of political freedom, tolerance and liberty – makes its kids carry them, then latecomers to democracy (such as the UK) should consider doing so too.
I foresee a rich vein of Labour policy construction opening up. If Hillier can go to Hungary to learn about liberty, then aren’t we soon likely to see Straw in Moscow studying the latest practices in media freedom or Milliband in Harare at a seminar on free elections? Maybe Jacqui Smith might spend a few weeks scouring the state archives of the old German Democratic Republic to gain an insight on promoting individual liberty?
Which frigging planet is Hillier from? In which parallel universe is anyone going to be impressed by what they do in bloody Hungary? Give me strength, please.
Tags: hungary, id cards, id cards for 14-year olds, meg hillier
