Schadenfreude

When – on the day the coalition government was formed – the Identity and Passport Service website changed to look like this many were cheered.

When – a few days later – the coalition document proudly announced the scrapping of the ID card and National Identity Register many more had reason to be pleased.

But, and I expect some backlash for my insensitivity, it is this announcement that has actually made me smile the widest (taken from the Times):

Thousands of people who bought identity cards will not receive refunds under a Bill to be unveiled tomorrow scrapping the eight-year project.

The Government has decided it will be too costly to administer a scheme to pay back the £30 to each of the 13,000 people who bought a card.

Don't say we – and, of course, our dear friends at No2ID – didn't warn you. "Nothing to hide, nothing to fear?" Well it seems that the 13,000 ID card sorry, worthless piece of plastic-carriers now £30 out of pocket have learned there is something to fear: being blindly led down an alley by an overbearing, overmighty, and profligate government. 

By Dylan Sharpe

Addendum

…Regular readers will know that if there are two people we are particularly glad to see bitten by this news it's nutty former Home Office Minister automaton, Meg Hillier; and the always delightful ID card dope and Manchester Evening News reporter, Angela Epstein.

We hope that both are mournfully looking at their ID cards and wondering what might have been…