The Identity Cards Act 2006 introduces the database state, and your passport is the key the government is using to start the ball rolling.
When the Conservative Lords “compromised” by allowing you to opt out of having an ID card when you get a passport, they didn’t let you opt out of paying for it, having an interview (where you will be “pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed and numbered”) or being entered into the database. The Register, as it will be known.
However, there is nothing to stop anyone renewing their passport now, giving 10 years respite. I’ve done it. The online form is rather good for a government site, I must say, and all you will need is a printer, a credit card and a passport photo. Or two, I’m not entirely sure about that.
£51 for ten years – if nothing else it will probably save you money.