Well the 'thwarted attack' was actually some two years ago, it seems, which underlines the suspect nature of the timing of the news release.

As for the ID card debate, well if you are a driver you already carry one. If you are an overseas traveller you already carry one. If you have a season ticket on the train, you already carry one. If you get books out of the library, you already carry one. The list goes on and on. We're not talking about something new here.

At least a national ID card would provide a standard format that would meet a variety of situations and requirements.