Policy area

Current directionScope: Mixed United Kingdom regulation and devolved or local public-service deliveryVersion 1.1Reviewed 26 July 2026
Broad direction established; detailed instruments remain subject to appraisal.

Technology, artificial intelligence, privacy and security

Use technology to improve public services and productivity while preserving rights, security, accountability and human remedy.

Current direction

Use technology to improve public services and productivity while preserving rights, security, accountability and human remedy.

Honest Politics should support:

  • automation of suitable administration;
  • human responsibility for high-stakes decisions;
  • validation of important AI systems;
  • audit trails;
  • routes to challenge and correction;
  • data minimisation;
  • cyber resilience;
  • interoperable systems where justified;
  • transparent procurement;
  • warrants, oversight and retention limits for intrusive surveillance;
  • digital inclusion.

Qualification

Honest Politics should oppose a universal mandatory online identity as a default solution.

It should not rule out voluntary, sector-specific or narrowly necessary identity systems where the need, rights safeguards, security and alternatives have been properly tested.

Main cost and strongest objection

Secure, accountable technology can be slower and more expensive than rapid automation. Human review, audit, data minimisation and inclusion require staffing and may limit some efficiency gains.

The strongest objection: that support for responsible AI and selective digital identity may still normalise surveillance, automated exclusion or systems that become compulsory in practice.

What could change this direction

The direction should change where a system cannot provide necessity, security, human remedy, accessibility, proportionality and protection against hostile or expanded use.

Before this becomes a developed proposal

The policy must identify a precise problem, realistic options, evidence, rights, distribution, cost, delivery responsibility, territorial scope, evaluation and stopping conditions. A stronger public status cannot be created by wording alone.

Challenge this position

Relevant evidence, delivery experience, factual corrections and serious objections can be submitted through the evidence route.