The modern state has been seeking to number, identify and control us effectively since the national registration of births was introduced in 1837 Guido reckons. A lot of guff was talked last night but the gist of it was that the Liberals are implacably opposed, as are the Labour left but the government is going to try and steam roller it regardless. The Tories are going along with it up until the election at least, but with no real conviction even from David Davis. They will try to gut the bill in committee and drop the plan in government.

Almost half the Tory parliamentary party did not vote for the bill.