Britain's plan to launch the world's most ambitious biometric identity card system cleared its first hurdle in parliament last night, despite the first revolt against Prime Minister Tony Blair since his re-election.
Despite having a 66-seat majority in the House of Commons, the controversial ID card system passed by just 31 votes and will now progress to a second reading.
If the plan passes all stages, it would be the first time Britons have carried ID cards since they were abolished after World War II by the government of Winston Churchill.
Critics, who say cards are expensive, unnecessary and intrusive, fear they would eventually become compulsory. The cards would use biometric technology in fingerprint, face and iris recognition.
But home secretary Charles Clarke insists the measure is needed to counter the threat of international terrorism, crime and illegal immigration.
He is facing calls, many from within his own party to make major changes to the scheme and while opponents lost the vote last night, the relatively narrow margin as victory.
Twenty Labour MPs defied the party whips to join the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in voting against the scheme following a combative Commons debate. They included former International Development Secretary Clare Short and former ministers Glenda Jackson and Kate Hoey.
After the vote John McDonnell, who chairs the Socialist Campaign group of Labour MPs, said: "With 20 Labour MPs voting against the government and nearly as many abstaining, there is no way that the government can continue with its ID cards plan without making substantial changes. This is a remarkably strong rebellion so early in the passage of the Bill."
During the debate, Mr Clarke dismissed the "fantastic" price tags which some analysts had put on the cards and vowed the cost to the public would be capped. He also suggested he could meet concerns of some Labour backbenchers by reducing the charge for the less well off.
After the vote, Liberal Democrat Mark Oaten said: "Britain has taken the first step towards a changed society where people need to have their fingerprints scanned to see their doctor, and the Government will have wasted billions of pounds on a piece of plastic.
"This identity tax will haunt Tony Blair in the same way the poll tax became Margaret Thatcher's legacy."
The new Bill paves the way for a national identity card system throughout the UK, together with a register to record information on ID card holders.
Agencies