As “Auld Lang Syne” rings out around the world, stop for a moment to take a look at what horrors are in store over the next 12 months.

We have the ludicrously expensive ID card monster crawling into action. The National Identity Register, the backbone for the cards. The DNA database, soundly slammed by Europe. The NHS “Connecting for Health” systems, with all its delays and cost overruns to date. And in my opinion the most concerning of them all, ContactPoint.

This system intends to “help services work together more effectively on the frontline to meet the needs of children, young people and their families”. What it does in practice is contain details of your child’s name, address, date of birth, parents name and contact details, school details and GP details. Recent media coverage of failures in child support services will no doubt strengthen the calls for this system. But we must not lose sight of the fundamental right to privacy that these surveillance tools are slowly eroding.

The one shining beacon of hope this year comes on 28 February in the form of the Convention on Modern Liberty. Mark that date in your diary, join the mailing list, join the Facebook group, spread the word. It will be our big chance to make our voices heard.

Stand up and be counted, before it’s too late.