UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday mocked the Conservative Party during a heated parliamentary debate, saying it had taken “more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra”.
Starmer’s remarks came as he defended his Labour government against criticism over its decision to abandon plans for mandatory digital ID cards for workers. Clarifying the government’s position, Starmer said Labour remained committed to tackling illegal employment, but stressed that while checks would be compulsory, the exact digital format would remain flexible.
“I’m determined to make it harder for people to work illegally in this country, and that is why there will be checks,” he told MPs. “They will be digital, and they will be mandatory.” The Prime Minister then turned his fire on the previous Conservative administration, pointing to frequent leadership changes and ministerial churn.
“Over the past 14 years, they’ve had five prime ministers, six chancellors, eight home secretaries and 16 housing ministers,” Starmer said. “They’ve had more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra. No wonder they’re knackered—and they left the country screwed.”
The digital ID proposal, first unveiled in September last year, was intended to verify workers’ right to employment in Britain. Although initially planned as a mandatory system, it sparked opposition from political rivals and sections of the public over privacy concerns.
Critics warned—without evidence—that the scheme could be used to track vaccinations, carbon footprints or restrict access to travel and essential services.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the proposal as a “rubbish policy” and welcomed its withdrawal. Opposition parties, however, seized on the reversal as proof of inconsistency, noting that Labour has already dropped or altered several policies since winning power in July 2024.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage labelled the decision a “victory for individual liberty” and said his party would scrap digital ID entirely if it returned to power.
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