Reform UK party chairman Lee Anderson has called for a referendum on reinstating the death penalty in Britain, highlighting growing public support while acknowledging the divisive nature of the issue.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Lee Anderson, chairman of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, has expressed his personal support for a referendum on reinstating the death penalty. The Reform chairman clarified that “Nothing on the death penalty will be part of party policy,” however. 📺 DETAIL: Anderson, who also serves as Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashfield, argued in an interview that a majority of British people would vote to bring back the death penalty. Anderson added that he and Farage “differ” on the issue. “We learnt that with the Brexit referendum, it divides the country and gets families falling out with each other. So yes, I would [support a referendum], but it would be divisive, very divisive,” said Anderson. While Farage voiced skepticism over the death penalty due to past miscarriages of justice, he has said he understands “why others take a different point of view.” Anderson cited the Islamist terrorists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who murdered off-duty British Army soldier Lee Rigby back in 2013, as examples of the type of criminals who deserve the death penalty. Anderson’s remarks follow polling data from last year showing growing support for the death penalty. According to More in Common, a British polling firm, 55 percent of British people favor the reintroduction of capital punishment for certain crimes. Published back in January 2025, the share of Britons who support the restoration of capital punishment has increased from the 50 percent recorded back in 2023. During the same period, opposition fell from 37 percent to 32 percent. Millennials were the most supportive, with 58 percent in favor versus 27 percent opposed. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “People say, ‘Oh, Nigel doesn’t agree with the death penalty and you’re divided,’ what a load of b****s that is! This is how out of touch I think Parliament is. I think the public would vote for the death penalty. Parliament would never vote for the death penalty.” – Lee Anderson 🎯 IMPACT: Any move to reinstate the death penalty in Britain would face significant legal challenges, including conflicts with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), a binding international treaty which has been used to block the deportation of foreign criminals and also bars capital punishment. Anderson’s comments underscore the willingness of populist politicians across the West to use direct democracy to gain popular consent for major policy changes. For instance, earlier this week, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally (RN) party in France, announced several referendum proposals, including reforms to birthright citizenship, welfare access, and the wearing of Islamic veils. |
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