5 ms·
Ireland and Australia don't, or didn't, not sure about others. The UK had them through the war and got rid in the 50s because they were thought an infringement
by NeedMoreTea 7y ago
Ireland and Australia don't, or didn't, not sure about others.
The UK had them through the war and got rid in the 50s because they were thought an infringement of civil liberties - because police were asking to see them as habit, not for reasons of suspicion - funny how attitudes change. Not having ID makes something like facial recognition stations set up in the street seem an even larger overreach. We're supposed to be able to go about our business without interference unless suspected of something. OK, it doesn't always work quite that way in practice, but the principle used to be much clearer, and far better respected... I rather resent losing that.
It made for a bit of an oddity back where there were the troubles in Northern Ireland and the heavily policed border between north and south. You could get on to a ferry to Dublin from the UK with nothing. No ID, no passport, nowt. I did that several times, I don't remember anything other than a ticket check. Change some pounds into Irish pounds when you get there.