Labour councillor resigns over identity card plans

David Nolan criticised the prime minister's "inept leadership"

The deputy leader of the Labour Party on the East Riding of Yorkshire Council has resigned in opposition to plans to introduce identity cards.

Councillor David Nolan said that he disagreed with the government's policy on winter fuel payments, disability benefits reform, Gaza and changes to local planning rules, but the "announcement last Friday of the introduction of compulsory ID was the final straw".

Nolan, who represents Hessle, left the Liberal Democrats in January 2024 after opposing the Hull and East Yorkshire devolution deal.

The BBC has contacted the Labour Party for a response.

In his resignation statement, Nolan said that his disagreement was with the national government and not his local former colleagues, describing Sir Kier Starmer's leadership as "inept".

Last week, the prime minister said the new digital ID scheme would make it tougher to work in the UK illegally and offer "countless benefits" to citizens.

Nolan described the plan as "an erosion of our civil liberties".

"It wasn't in Labour's manifesto so they can't claim a mandate for this," he wrote.

"It's a gimmick solely to show they are trying to 'stop the boats'.

"Everyone knows it won't deter the boat migrants, who were expecting to work in the unregulated black economy anyway."

"What it will do is impose a massive cost to the taxpayer of issuing 69m Britons with a card they don't need.

"Meanwhile, our roads and pavements are undergoing 'managed decline' with a 20-year backlog of repairs here in the East Riding.

Nolan served on the county council and Hessle Town Council for the Liberal Democrats for 16 years before his defection to Labour last January.

He said he intended to sit as an independent councillor.

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