The death penalty or capital punishment is the punishment by death for a crime. Currently 58 countries worldwide allow the death penalty (including the U.S.) while 97 countries have outlawed it. The Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It abolished the death penalty for murder in Great Britain (the death penalty for murder survived in Northern Ireland until 1973). The act replaced the penalty of death with a mandatory sentence of imprisonment for life.
39% Yes |
61% No |
23% Yes |
56% No |
15% Yes, but only for horrific crimes with undeniable evidence |
3% No, spending life in prison is a harsher sentence |
1% Yes, but the victim’s family should decide the punishment |
2% No, too many people are innocently convicted |
See how support for each position on “Death Penalty” has changed over time for 1m UK voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
See how importance of “Death Penalty” has changed over time for 1m UK voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Unique answers from UK users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@9868V6M1yr1Y
Yes, but for child sex offences and animal abuse and cruelty and sex offences against animals.
@99QPPQB1yr1Y
murderers and pedophiles should get it
@96HZKQ22yrs2Y
Yes, but only for mass-murderers, war criminals and terrorists
@982MF941yr1Y
Only if it’s a horrific crime with undeniable evidence AND permission from the criminal for the death penalty as it’s their body
@9L757Y51mo1MO
No, I feel that inflicting death on any human is hypocritical as a punishment, saying that nobody can kill as it is a cardinal sin, but then going and killing the person who killed. In my eyes that would mean anybody involved in the decision of the death sentence would also then be described as murderers.
@8Q46C3H3yrs3Y
Depends on what they have done
Stay up-to-date on the most recent “Death Penalty” news articles, updated frequently.
Explore other topics that are important to UK voters.