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Recent polls reveal a significant shift in British public opinion towards capital punishment, with notably strong support for executing child killers and terrorists following the tragic Southport child murders.

Two prominent polling organizations unveiled their findings on Wednesday, highlighting a stark contrast between public sentiment and the political establishment’s stance on the death penalty. More in Common’s latest survey indicates that 55 percent of Britons now favor reinstating capital punishment in principle, marking a five-point increase since autumn 2023. Opposition has correspondingly decreased from 37 to 32 percent.

The data shows even stronger support for specific cases, with 70 percent endorsing execution for multiple murders or terrorist acts. However, support drops considerably to 46 percent when considering single non-political murders.

YouGov’s parallel research presents similar findings, though with variations. Their data shows only 35 percent support for universal application of the death penalty in murder cases. Nevertheless, specific scenarios garnered substantial backing, with support for capital punishment in multiple murders rising two points to 58 percent, and terrorism-related cases increasing to 57 percent.

The polls reveal particularly strong support for executing child killers, with 56 percent in favor – a four-point increase over the past month. This surge follows the recent sentencing of Axel Rudakubana, who attacked a children’s dance party in Southport, stabbing 11 children and killing three.

The case sparked controversy as Rudakubana, being just nine days short of his 18th birthday during the attacks, escaped the maximum whole life order sentence. This prompted discussions about age-related sentencing and appropriate punishment for such severe crimes.

Reform UK politician Rupert Lowe MP addressed the issue directly, stating “It is my opinion that now is the time for a national debate on the use of the death penalty in exceptional circumstances. This is an exceptional circumstance.”

Despite consistent public support for capital punishment since its abolition by Labour in the 1960s, Westminster remains firmly opposed. The political establishment continues to resist any reconsideration of the policy, maintaining a paternalistic stance at odds with public opinion.

A government spokesperson emphasized this position, stating: “The government has no plans to bring back capital punishment. Parliament abolished the death penalty more than 50 years ago, and in free votes has consistently voted against it being restored in recent decades. In 1998, parliament made clear in a free vote that it was opposed to the death penalty for all offences.”