The newly appointed Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, Lee Anderson, has caused controversy by stating in an interview that he would support the reinstatement of the death penalty in the United Kingdom. The Conservative Party has distanced itself from Anderson’s position, but Labour has accused Rishi Sunak of lacking the strength to oppose it.
Anderson argued in an interview with The Spectator that “no one has ever committed a crime after being executed” and suggested that the death penalty should be applied in cases such as the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby by Islamist extremists in 2013. He added, “You’ll hear certain groups assert, ‘You can never prove it.’ As in the case of the Lee Rigby murderers, you can provide evidence if the perpetrators have recorded the crime on video or are captured on camera. They should have left the same week.”
The United Kingdom abolished the death penalty for murder in 1965, with the last executions occurring in 1964. The European Convention on Human Rights, to which the United Kingdom is a signatory, prohibits its restoration. 30% of respondents to a YouGov survey believe the death penalty should be reinstated in all cases of murder, rising to 52% in cases of multiple murder. Professor Tim Bale of Queen Mary University of London, an expert on the opinions of political party members, stated that Anderson likely spoke for the majority of Conservatives, citing a survey in which 53% of respondents agreed that “for some crimes, the death penalty is the most appropriate punishment.”
Children’s Minister Claire Coutinho opposed Anderson’s stance on the death penalty, but commended him for speaking his mind. She stated, “I believe people respond positively to Lee because he speaks his mind. And I think it’s vital that we have a diverse group of people with a variety of viewpoints “she said on LBC Radio
Anderson, in his capacity as deputy chairman, will assist party leader Greg Hands in preparing for the May local elections in England. His views on a variety of issues have previously generated controversy, including his criticism of the England football team for kneeling in protest of racism.
As a result of Anderson’s comments, the debate over the death penalty continues within both parties and beyond. Anderson’s opinions are not shared by all, but his statements bring attention to a rarely discussed topic in British politics.
