Politicians Blast UK Prime Minister’s “Mandatory” Digital ID Scheme – Compared To Mark Of The Beast And “1984-ish”

Numerous politicians criticized United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement to make digital IDs “mandatory” for British citizens.

UPDATE: Keir Starmer Announces “Mandatory” Digital ID Scheme For United Kingdom

Starmer claimed requiring every employee to hold a digital identity document will make it tougher to work in the United Kingdom illegally.

“This government will make a new free-0f-charge digital ID mandatory for the right to work by the end of this parliament,” Starmer said.

“You will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID, it’s as simple as that,” he continued.

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele compared digital IDs to the mark of the beast.

“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." pic.twitter.com/kdqPxcKu1Q

— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) September 26, 2025

Over 1.6 million people have signed a petition opposing Starmer's digital ID mandate.

1.6 Million….keep this going #DigitalID pic.twitter.com/UZxcTPYPm8

— Bossi (@Bossi_70) September 27, 2025

The Guardian explained:

More than 1.6 million people have signed a petition opposing the introduction of digital ID cards after Keir Starmer announced plans to make them mandatory for people working in the UK by 2029.

The petition says “no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system”, which it describes as a “step towards mass surveillance and digital control”.

Petitions that receive more than 100,000 signatures are considered for a debate in parliament, but there is little evidence of their success in shaping government policy. More than 6 million people signed one calling for Brexit to be reversed.

Digital ID cards presented “an enormous opportunity” for the UK, Starmer said on Friday, as the government grappled with a civil liberties row over the proposals.

ADVERTISEMENT

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis compared digital IDs to George Orwell's novel, "1984."

"A so-called 'digital ID' is very 1984-ish. Hope our friends across the pond will reject this — a precursor to even more government control," he said.

A so-called “digital ID” is very 1984-ish.

Hope our friends across the pond will reject this — a precursor to even more government control. https://t.co/WB6WaQgzpn

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) September 26, 2025

Yahoo News provided further info:

The government has unveiled more details around plans for a new digital ID card to be held on people’s phones.

The digital ID, dubbed the 'Brit Card' by some, will provide proof of identity and residency status in the UK and is part of a wider push to combat illegal immigration.

It will be stored on devices in the same way contactless payment cards or the NHS App are, though some reports suggest that those who do not want to carry a digital ID card or do not operate digitally could be given a physical card instead.

Keir Starmer has said it is part of a wider push to tackle illegal immigration and will be mandatory as a means of proving the right to work, but people will not generally be required to carry it or be asked to produce it.

ADVERTISEMENT

But the plans have been met with widespread concerns, with more than half a million people already signing a petition against the idea.

The digital ID will be given to all UK citizens and legal residents, the government has said. It will be up to each individual whether they use it, but it will be compulsory for anyone who wants to work in the UK.