At the group's annual meeting members resolved to campaign against the possible move towards compulsory ID and a letter has been written to the Department of Home Affairs outlining members' views.

Chairman Mark Kermode said: 'We utterly reject the notion of a compulsory national identity card.

'The meeting concluded that there were no grounds for such compulsory identity primarily due to the fact the "pro" lobby had singularly failed to demonstrate the value of such measures.

'There was also the question of cross-citizenship inequality.

'With the very large number of itinerants in the Island who would be subject to other jurisdictions' criteria, effectively, the only people who would be subject to compulsory identification in addition to a huge range of existing incidental identification methods – such as passports, driving licences and credit cards – would be the people who had every right to be here in the first place.

'The whole thing becomes self-defeating.'

Draft legislation is expected to hit the UK later this year for compulsory ID cards.

The move by the Home Office is expected to combat identity fraud which costs the UK Government £1.3 billion each year as well as stamp out fears of terrorism and illegal immigration.

A national ID register would be set up if Home Office plans go ahead and everyone would be required to carry a standard ID card by law.

Chief Minister Richard Corkill said the Manx Government would be paying close attention as to how the issues unfolds in the UK.

He said the close links between the Island and the UK could mean the national ID cards system might be repeated here due to the travel and business links.