I am sure the French would "down tools" over this matter if they were in our position..
This is slightly out of date (2005-7) but the French already have a non-compulsory ID card..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationa...y_card_(France)
and in 2005 had plans for a new one similar to the UK scheme. At the time apparently 63% were in favour of compulsion. Still there were objections as in the UK and the scheme has been delayed if not cancelled.