Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice

Hold a referendum on whether to reinstate the death penalty

Closed 217 signatures

What the petition asks

To let the British public decide whether the Government should bring back the death penalty for serious crimes resulting in serious harm or death to a person.
A large proportion of British people no longer feel safe. Many people also believe our penal system isn't fit for purpose, that sentences are too short for serious crimes and life no longer means life.

Every day we hear of violent & sexual child abuse, child grooming gangs, sexual & violent murders of women and children, stabbings and terrorist attacks. We believe prison sentences are not deterring these crimes and the death penalty should be bought back. The public should be given the right to decide if this happens.

Timeline

8 Dec 2021 Petition opened for signatures
8 Jun 2022 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 217
Status Closed
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 8 Dec 2021
Closed 8 Jun 2022

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.