If you haven't done so yet, pop into the Post Office and pick up a passport renewal form. Even if your passport doesn't expire yet. Especially if your passport doesn't expire yet.

Why? Because once the National Identity Register goes online, anyone renewing a passport will be forced to provide large amounts of personal information and be registered. Once on the database you won't get off until it's scrapped. You will be subject to various obligations and possible fines, your privacy will vanish.

By renewing early you can - if the government keeps its word - stay off the database for another ten years.

Why May? Because the NO2ID campaign is organising a coordinated protest to make a point. By renewing your passport in May - especially by renewing early - you will be telling the government that you don't want to be scanned, numbered and issued a licence to live.

NO2ID has no intention of upsetting anyone's holiday plans, hence the action in May rather than the summer. If the Identity and Passport "Service" says that they can't cope with the extra numbers then the action will be called off.

More info at the Renew For Freedom site.