In the past few months, there has been a notable revival of discussions surrounding the death penalty among conservative politicians in the United Kingdom. Rupert Lowe, the leader of Restore Britain, has pledged to initiate a legally binding referendum on the reinstatement of capital punishment. Lee Anderson, a Member of Parliament from the Reform party, supports the idea of a referendum, suggesting that public sentiment would favor reintroducing the death penalty.
Proponents of capital punishment in the UK often reference polls that indicate, for example, that 47% of students are in favor of its return. However, such reports can be misleading, as they typically fail to address the harsh realities associated with the implementation of capital punishment and offer only a simple yes-or-no choice.
Research shows that the more comprehensive the information presented to the public about the death penalty, the less support it garners. Historical data indicates that when alternative sentencing options are provided, the death penalty does not secure majority approval in the UK, regardless of the crime involved. According to a YouGov survey, only 35% of respondents believe it should be an option for all murder cases. In the United States, support for capital punishment has also seen a decline, dropping from 80% in 1994 to 52% in 2025.
The recent troubled execution of Christa Pike exemplifies the grave issues surrounding state-sanctioned killings. Lethal injection is often preferred over other execution methods due to its perceived “humane” nature, a notion that has helped sustain the death penalty in the US. However, polling indicates that if states were to alter their execution methods, support for capital punishment would likely decrease.
Christa Pike, who faced severe trauma throughout her life, endured a harrowing execution attempt that lasted over an hour, showcasing the inhumane reality of lethal injection. Advocates for her case argue that Pike, sentenced to death at age 20 in 1996, should not have been on death row. During her trial, she was portrayed as a menacing criminal, rather than as a victim of extreme abuse and violence since childhood.
Pike’s experience starkly illustrates that there is nothing humane about lethal injection, revealing the brutal truth of capital punishment. This should prompt politicians in the UK who support the death penalty to reconsider their stance.
The UK abolished the death penalty for murder in 1965 following a public outcry over a wrongful execution involving Timothy Evans, who was hanged for crimes he did not commit. The real perpetrator was serial killer John Christie, who lived in the same building. This incident is not an isolated case; studies indicate that innocent individuals are often executed, with one estimate suggesting that one in every 25 death row inmates in the US is likely to be innocent.
British advocates for capital punishment often look to the US as an example of a democratic nation that employs this practice. However, the case of Christa Pike should prompt serious reflection. Over 200 individuals have been exonerated from death row in the US, translating to one exoneration for every eight executions. Additionally, evidence suggests that capital punishment does not effectively deter crime; in 2024, seven out of the eight most violent states in the US, ranked by murder rates, enforced the death penalty.
A recent report from the US Department of Justice controversially claimed that all execution methods are humane, including lethal gas, the electric chair, the firing squad, and lethal injection, despite decades of contrary evidence both statistical and anecdotal.
Supporters of the death penalty often assert that it will be applied solely to the “worst of the worst” offenders. However, research shows that the death penalty disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations, including individuals with mental health issues, intellectual disabilities, and those unable to afford legal representation.
Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be executed in the UK in 1955, was a victim of domestic abuse, having been physically assaulted and threatened by the man she shot. Recently, she was granted a conditional pardon by King Charles, acknowledging her victimization in a case that represents a delayed form of justice, coming 71 years too late.
In 1956, as debates on abolition unfolded in Parliament, public opinion was sharply divided. One peer, Lord Mancroft, cited a poll showing 73% support for capital punishment in 1953, which dropped to 50% following Ellis’s execution. Sydney Silverman, an MP, emphasized the moral responsibility of lawmakers to guide rather than follow public sentiment, questioning whether they would endorse executions if faced with violent public pressure.
As the list of countries abolishing the death penalty continues to grow, its use is increasingly associated with authoritarian regimes. Last year, the majority of global executions were conducted by China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, with Iran reportedly executing over 2,000 individuals, many for protesting for women’s rights. Should the UK aspire to align with such nations, as suggested by Lowe and Anderson?
In the US, numerous legal and medical professionals are calling for a halt to the death penalty following Pike’s botched execution. In the UK, every time Lowe, Anderson, or their allies advocate for a discussion on capital punishment, they should be reminded of the horrific realities that accompany it.
Maya Foa serves as the CEO of the human rights organization Reprieve.
