IDENTITY cards should be made compulsory to help tackle a range of social problems says Leigh MP Andy Burnham.

And Mr Burnham has tabled a House of Commons motion to bring in compulsory personal ID cards which has been supported by other MPs.

Mr Burnham said: "The civil liberties lobby has been allowed to hold sway in this debate for far too long. British society is changing and I believe there is a widespread and growing public support for compulsory identity cards.

"Whose liberties should we be protecting? The law abiding pensioner's, or the person who for dubious reasons wishes to remain anonymous?

"It's time to listen to the silent majority. There are practical issues that would need to be resolved, but such schemes are common in Europe and I don't see why one couldn't be made to work here."