Thousands of protesters have marched through central London to oppose the proposed digital ID system. Under strict police conditions, demonstrators chanted and waved banners along a route from Marble Arch to Whitehall on Saturday afternoon.

Former Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen walked at the front of the march. One protester carried an effigy of Sir Keir Starmer. An advert for the protest on the organiser Mass Non-Compliance website stated: “if you accept digital ID now, it may be the last real choice you ever make”.

The Metropolitan Police told demonstrators not to deviate from their pre-planned route and to stay on the left-hand side of the road. Critics have questioned the plans. Former Conservative minister Sir David Davis said: “While digital IDs and ID cards sound like modern and efficient solutions to problems like illegal immigration, such claims are misleading at best. The systems involved are profoundly dangerous to the privacy and fundamental freedoms of the British people.” Tory leader Kemi Badenoch described the proposals as a gimmick that will do nothing to stop the boats. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he is firmly opposed. The Liberal Democrats said they would not support mandatory digital ID where people are forced to turn over their private data just to go about their daily lives.