Keir Starmer was last night facing a fierce backlash over plans to announce compulsory digital ID cards for all British residents – something which even his own MPs have described as an 'utter, dystopian disaster'.
The Prime Minister was said to have come up with the idea because he was 'desperately thrashing around' to find a solution to the small boats crisis.
The plans, which according to the Financial Times could be announced at Labour's annual conference which gets underway in Liverpool next weekend, would see digital IDs being given to all people legally entitled to reside in Britain.
They would then be used for employment verification and rental agreements.
The concept of ID cards dates back to Tony Blair's time as Prime Minister, and remains beloved by those on Labour's Right.
