LET 2008 be the year we bring down the Identity Cards scheme . So said the new Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg in his first New Year s message on Monday. After an underwhelming leadership campaign it was important that Clegg began his tenure as leader with a b

LET 2008 be the year we bring down the Identity Cards scheme".

So said the new Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg in his first New Year's message on Monday.

After an underwhelming leadership campaign it was important that Clegg began his tenure as leader with a bang.

By repeating his party's opposition to Identity Cards he has picked a subject his party and the country agree on.

Back in 2004 a MORI poll found that 80 per cent of UK citizens were in favour of the cards.

Four weeks ago a YouGov poll in the Daily Telegraph showed that more people now oppose Labour's proposed scheme (48 per cent) than support it (43 per cent) - the first time YouGov had found more support against than in favour.

The tide has turned and the Lib Dems should be able to take full advantage.

Where Clegg might come unstuck is if the controversial scheme actually goes ahead.

In October he said: "I, and I expect thousands of people like me, will simply refuse ever to register."

Advocating the breaking of laws on ideological grounds is a bold stance, but it could yet become a costly one for the new Lib Dem leader should he have to act on his word.

n WE received a letter from one disgruntled Letchworth town councillor on Monday who believes I receive information for my stories in brown envelopes slipped under my door and from secret phone calls in the middle of the night from either current or ex-NHDC councillors wanting to undermine his council out of fear.

The truth is I get information in snippets from various sources; some like to be named, others don't. Some are NHDC councillors while others are a little closer to home.

If only journalism was as easy as brown envelopes and secret phone calls.