A call for Pembrokeshire Council’s leader to openly object to a planned UK Government digital ID scheme is to be heard next year.

On September 26, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans for a digital ID scheme that will be mandatory for proving the right to work.

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall, said the scheme would make it easier to access services, improve privacy, and reduce illegal immigration.

There will be no requirement for individuals to carry their ID or be asked to produce it – but digital ID will be mandatory as a means of proving your Right to Work, the UK Government has said.

In a notice of motion heard at the December meting of Pembrokeshire County Council, leader of the independent group Cllr Huw Murphy called on the council to back an objection to mandatory digital IDs.

His notice read: “On November 25, our Celtic cousins in Cornwall passed a motion that the leader of Cornwall County Council would write to the Home Secretary voicing their objection to a UK Government proposal to implement mandatory digital ID for the United Kingdom.

“This Notice of motion asks that the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council likewise writes to the Home Secretary and to the First Minster of Wales communicating the objection of elected members to the idea of Digital ID. This is not a devolved matter for WG hence the request to write to the Home Secretary expressing our objections.

“The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) following the budget stated that the cost of introducing Digital ID will cost the UK Govt around £1.8 billion which is money that would be better spent elsewhere.

“Compulsory ID cards were abolished in 1952 after WW2 due to the widespread belief and sentiment they are fundamentally at odds with British and Welsh values and civil liberties, which was true then and remains true today.

“As the leader of the largest political group, therefore representing the largest group of residents I’m obliged to express my objection to this proposal by the UK Government asking that our objection to Digital ID is communicated to the Home Secretary and the First Minister.

“I am not alone in my objection to mandatory digital ID with universal opposition to include the Leaders of Plaid Cymru, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party, Reform UK, the Green Party, Scottish Nationalist Party, Sinn Fein and the DUP.”

At the December meeting, members agreed to refer the matter to the council’s Cabinet, the next meeting due to take place in 2026.