Scottish Tory leaders took to the streets yesterday to protest against government plans for compulsory identity cards.
Annabel Goldie and David Mundell led a group of party supporters outside the Passport Office in Glasgow highlighting what they claim is the ineffectiveness and unfair cost of ID cards.
They argued that money needed to introduce and maintain the system would be better spent on improving security at the country's borders, if prevention of terrorism was a desired outcome.
Annabel Goldie, Scottish Conservative leader, said: "We know ID cards won't stop terrorism and they won't stop fraud. There is also the inconvenience and cost of people living in Scotland who will have to travel to a biometric centre to have their details recorded. The proposal is undeniably flawed and the inconvenience is ludicrous."
To get to a regional processing centre it is argued people will travel for hours, with people in Campbeltown having furthest to go - a round-trip of 174 miles to Oban.
Fort William residents and those in Pitlochry and parts of Dumfriesshire will have a journey of more than 100 miles. Ms Goldie also pointed out that Shetlanders would need to travel to Wick, a round-trip of 388 miles taking more than two days.
Mr Mundell, Shadow Scottish Secretary, said: "This is a very serious issue and it is one which is going to shape the next election. The only way to stop ID cards is to have a UK Conservative government."
The campaigners carried life-size cut-outs of Prime Minister Gordon Brown with an ID card to begin a campaign around the country highlighting their opposition to the government proposals.
Mr Mundell argued the government's recent record on handling data did not instill the confidence needed to launch a new system. He added: "The government does not have the respect of the people in dealing with personal data."
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