In my previous article, kindly published on this Bruges Group site, I wrote about and reproduced the letter I sent to Prime minister Starmer with my total opposition to the introduction of digital I.D. cards, which I see as a tool of the police state. I also mentioned that I had not received a reply to my letter, which was sent immediately Starmer made his announcement for his plans for total control of the population. On Saturday 17th January 2026, shortly after my article was published, a reply plopped through my letter box, which I have copied and show below and ask you to note the wording used.
The letter from the Cabinet Office came across as informal and friendly, I was not addressed by Ella, the correspondent whose job is to peddle Government propaganda, as Mr Bennett but my first name was used instead. Was this because they wanted to come across as approachable and friendly, or was it to avoid the nightmare of their own creation, the labyrinth of a myriad of pronouns and causing offence by using Mr or Mrs?
Many years ago when I was campaigning against our membership of the EU, I read something it was proposing about prisons, which it referred to them as "Human storage". That struck me as quite sinister at the time, they were not talking about places where offenders were sent to face the punishment for their crimes and to be helped to mend their nefarious ways, but more like a living morgue when people would be stored.
The use of words to make things sound different to what they actually mean has been going on since mankind began using them. George Orwell was exceptionally good at highlighting this, in 'Animal Farm he refers to "All animals are equal, some animals are more equal than others". The most quoted of his use of devious wording is from "1984". In his book about a totalitarian future Britain. Classics were: "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength." , "It's a beautiful thing, the destruction of words." and "Sanity is not statistical." . There are many more.
Regarding the use of wording, the first thing I noticed in the below reply was the use of "digital credential", nowhere in the letter were I.D. cards mentioned. However, between this reply being written on the 9th January and the date I received it on the 17th, Starmer began to backtrack against yet another of his hugely unpopular plans, making much of the letter pointless.
Finally, who is Ella? No surname was given, is Ella a robotic AI tool currently being used by this unpopular Government to fob off the mass of complaints about Labour policy? Read on and weep.
Dear Derek,
9 January 2026
Thank you for contacting the Cabinet Office on 26 September regarding the Government's plans to build a new digital credential.
Around the world, countries have built new national digital credentials and digitised access to public services. Learning from their successes, the Government is building a new digital credential for everyone in the UK that will be inclusive, secure and useful.
The Government's top priority is to make this system work for everyone, and so it will be launching a major digital inclusion drive to reach those with limited access to digital services. The scheme will put more control in citizens' hands, using technology to make public services more responsive to what they need.
The public will be invited to have their say in the upcoming consultation about how the Government can build this vital digital public good for the UK. No final decisions will be made without their input. Ministers will be travelling up and down the country to listen to ensure this system works for every community, and encourage you to partake in this consultation.
Thank you for writing on this important matter. I hope this information is helpful. Yours sincerely,
Ella
Correspondence Officer
Public Correspondence Team Cabinet Office.
