Sir Keir Starmer has firmly rejected a controversial call for a public referendum on reintroducing the death penalty for foreign nationals who commit serious crimes.
Lowe's Commons Proposal
The suggestion was put forward in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 by independent MP Rupert Lowe. Lowe, who was previously a Reform UK MP, argued that the British public should be given a direct say on capital punishment, specifically citing offences carried out by foreign criminals.
Starmer's Firm Rejection
In a decisive response, the Prime Minister dismissed the idea outright. Sir Keir stated that the death penalty 'is not the answer' and emphasised that it had proven to be historically ineffective as a deterrent. He further reinforced his position by pointing to the grave historical consequences of its use, arguing that innocent people had been executed when it was previously law in the UK.
A Settled Matter in UK Politics
This exchange in Parliament underscores the deeply settled nature of the death penalty debate in modern Britain. The government's position remains one of clear opposition, viewing capital punishment as a relic of the past with no place in the country's contemporary justice system.
