UnHerd with Freddie Sayers Peter Hitchens: The case for the death penalty
May 13, 2025
Peter Hitchens, a British journalist known for his conservative stances, passionately discusses the complexities of capital punishment. He tackles the moral dilemmas surrounding justice versus revenge and reconciles his views with his Anglican faith. Hitchens highlights recent trends in public opinion favoring the death penalty among younger generations amid rising crime rates. He further critiques wrongful convictions and the current justice system, urging for meaningful reform before considering reinstatement, all while exploring the philosophical and ethical dimensions of this contentious issue.
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Justice System Concerns
- The current British justice system cannot be trusted with capital punishment due to politicization and lowered standards.
- Majority verdicts undermine 'beyond reasonable doubt' and increase risks of wrongful convictions.
Political Avoidance of Accountability
- The UK political class dodged democratic accountability when abolishing the death penalty.
- Responsibility for protecting society with serious measures was abandoned without public mandate.
Justice Reform Needed First
- Serious penalties require a serious, reformed justice system to ensure fairness.
- Without reform, the death penalty is currently impractical and unsafe in Britain.