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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if those in favour of the death penalty would be able to pass the sentence themselves?

221 replies

couldyoudoit · 07/08/2026 17:13

Inspired by recent threads about people wanting the death penalty reintroduced, I was wondering - if there was an option for the family member of a murdered person to execute the person who did it, would you do it?

I am very fundamentally opposed to any kind of death penalty but I’m curious to know if those who do agree with it could do the deed themselves, and if so, where would you draw the line regarding method? I suspect a lot of people in favour would be ok pressing a button to administer lethal injection/pulling a lever to drop a trapdoor but would be less keen to (for example) chop someone’s head off with an axe or set them on fire?

Not really an AIBU but I’m really interested in the responses. Not looking to judge anyone for their stance either way, just curious about the thought processes.

NB* Not a journalist or writing any sort of article!

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 07/08/2026 23:04

Kingdomofsleep · 07/08/2026 23:02

I think (but too tired to look it up) it's in the Reform manifesto so odds on that we will

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One of the many reasons I can think of not to vote Reform then.

Kingdomofsleep · 07/08/2026 23:02

ilovesooty · 07/08/2026 23:00

I sincerely hope we never have one.

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I think (but too tired to look it up) it's in the Reform manifesto so odds on that we will

NoisyUmberBalonz · 07/08/2026 23:01

Kingdomofsleep · 07/08/2026 22:48

https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/53343-do-britons-support-the-return-of-corporal-and-capital-punishment

I'm quite heartened to see support that high tbh. I really think it is hard to argue against it these days - I understand the argument we should not become as them etc. but I think watching Arthur Labinjo's murderers survive after what they did (and many, many, many others) is more corrosive to society overall.

Copperoliverbear · 07/08/2026 23:01

All pedos should be tidied to the back of a car and dragged along until they die

ilovesooty · 07/08/2026 23:00

Kingdomofsleep · 07/08/2026 22:47

A yougov poll on this recently had 50% for death penalty if we had a referendum. I'll try to find a link

Edit - it was 50% for but less than 50% against, so a slim majority for the dealth penalty.

Edited

I sincerely hope we never have one.

Copperoliverbear · 07/08/2026 23:00

100%

AccraIsInAfrica · 07/08/2026 22:57

In the USA pre 2005 you were able to execute someone who commited crimes at 16/17. Just the executions happened when they were adults after all the appeals passed

Tryanalogue · 07/08/2026 22:56

With a blunt chainsaw, yes.

MurunBuchstansangursCousinRossiter · 07/08/2026 22:55

NoisyUmberBalonz · 07/08/2026 22:54

Jamie Vardy!? His reality show is pretty bad, but still...

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I edited 🤣

Kingdomofsleep · 07/08/2026 22:55

MurunBuchstansangursCousinRossiter · 07/08/2026 22:53

In a heartbeat. I’d happily despatch the likes of Ian Huntley, Jamie Varley, the couple who terrorised and murdered Arthur Labinjo Hughes… and anyone else who definitely did it.

Edited

Edit - comment redundant as typo corrected

NoisyUmberBalonz · 07/08/2026 22:54

MurunBuchstansangursCousinRossiter · 07/08/2026 22:53

In a heartbeat. I’d happily despatch the likes of Ian Huntley, Jamie Varley, the couple who terrorised and murdered Arthur Labinjo Hughes… and anyone else who definitely did it.

Edited

Jamie Vardy!? His reality show is pretty bad, but still...

MurunBuchstansangursCousinRossiter · 07/08/2026 22:53

In a heartbeat. I’d happily despatch the likes of Ian Huntley, Jamie Varley, the couple who terrorised and murdered Arthur Labinjo Hughes… and anyone else who definitely did it.

dinoderry · 07/08/2026 22:52

Digerydont · 07/08/2026 22:41

Rudakabana was under 18 and would not have been executed even if we had the death penalty.

I have never been in support of the death penalty but he really pushes those boundaries. His crimes are so utterly heinous and not just that, but he continues to attack other prisoners and people working within prisons. If the death penalty was reintroduced, I would have no problem with him being first in line.

Suusue · 07/08/2026 22:51

Yes. Multiple times too.

Digerydont · 07/08/2026 22:50

Surprised that there isn't more support for whipping crims

climbintheback · 07/08/2026 22:49

Yes - 100% that would maybe give the families some closure, clear spaces in the prisons, save us an absolute fortune and I would volunteer for the Lee Rigby killers and Rudakubana for starters!

ilovesooty · 07/08/2026 22:48

Backedoffhackedoff · 07/08/2026 18:07

Ah. So we are asking people if they could murder someone?

and people are saying yes easily? 🤔

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Given some of the posts I've seen here from some posters I think that those posters would actively enjoy executing people.

MaxJLHardy · 07/08/2026 22:47

When you brutalise the brutal they brutalise you.

Kingdomofsleep · 07/08/2026 22:47

A yougov poll on this recently had 50% for death penalty if we had a referendum. I'll try to find a link

Edit - it was 50% for but less than 50% against, so a slim majority for the dealth penalty.

Kingdomofsleep · 07/08/2026 22:46

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 07/08/2026 21:37

I can hand on heart say i would geniunely would be v comfortable passing sentence...

particularly since having children...maybe it means I am a sociopath...maybe it means I have had enough of undersentancing of male violence against women and children.

If it paid well enough id be happy to push the button as well! I'd want about 300k pa and max 20 hrs per week around school hours.

I agree, my view on this has entirely changed since I've had kids. If anyone hurt them I'd kill them myself, even risking prison. If it was legally allowed to administer the penalty? Zero hesitation.

And I love the idea of a term time only executioner. Where do I send my CV?

Digerydont · 07/08/2026 22:41

Rudakabana was under 18 and would not have been executed even if we had the death penalty.

NoWordForFluffy · 07/08/2026 22:41

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

NoisyUmberBalonz · 07/08/2026 22:39

NoWordForFluffy · 07/08/2026 22:36

I'll take that as a no.

Weird you didn't abuse the last person who pointed out that professionals didn't agree with you.

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You said Rudakabana was failed, then quoted an article about the government FAILING THE GIRLS as evidence HE was failed. I'm not engaging further.

Digerydont · 07/08/2026 22:38

Traditionally, one member of the firing squad has a blank, but noone knows which one, so afterwards, each member can tell himself, they had the blank. Unfortunately for him; the officer has to shoot the condemned in the head.