For this week’s Reading Nostalgia, we are going back to the summer of 1983 as one of the biggest debates in English history took place – should the death penalty be reintroduced?
That year, capital punishment was the subject of much discussion across England, and the whole of the UK, as there were talks that the death penalty could be returning after a 14-year absence for those found guilty of murder.
Sir William van Straubenzee was for the return of the death penalty
The decision to end one’s life for heinous crimes split the decisions amongst the British public, and that summer, many people across the country shared their views on whether capital punishment should return for those who have killed, as MPs got ready to vote on the topic in Parliament.
The death penalty had been used in the country before capital punishment was suspended for murder in 1965, before it was abolished for that crime in 1969.
However, it still remain active for those who committed treason.
Speaking at the time, Sir William van Straubenzee, who was the Conservative MP for Wokingham from October 1959 to May 1987, said: “I anticipate that I will be voting in favour of the return of capital punishment.
“However, I will want to listen to and consider all the arguments before finally making my mind.”
Mr van Straubenzee, who died 16 years later in 1999, also revealed that he had always been in favour of the return for the death penalty for murder.
However, his fellow Tory MP, Sir Michael NcNair-Wilson, was against the idea of capital punishment returning.
Sir Michael NcNair-Wilson was against it
The former MP for Newbury said: “I am totally opposed to any re-introduction of the death penalty.
“I do not believe it is an efficient deterrent or the type of sentence which should be used in the 20th century.”
Mr NcNair-Wilson died 10 years later aged 62.
Other Berkshire-based MPs also revealed what they thought.
Former Conservative MP Tony Durant, who represented Reading North from 1974 to 1983 and then Reading West from 1983 to 1997 was in favour of the return of the death penalty, whilst Michael Heseltine, who represented Henley, was against the notion.
Tony Durant was for the return of the death penalty in 1983
Residents also had their say with Reading man Gulzar Ahmed stating that ‘he would not like to see this happen’, whilst John Shearman of Wantage Road in the town saying: “I do think there should be stringent punishments, however, and a life sentence should mean a life sentence.”
Gulzar Ahmed was against it
However, Frances Scarrott of West Reading said that the death penalty should be reintroduced for ‘certain crimes such as terrorism and the murder of policemen and prison officers.’
John Shearman was also against it
She continued: “I think the risk of someone who is not guilty being hanged is only very minor.”
Frances Scarrott was for it
Becky Williams and Liz Skinner, who left school that year, were in favour of the death penalty returning
School students, Becky Williams and Liz Skinner, who were leaving education at the time of the vote, were in favour of the return of capital punishment, whilst pensioner Rudolph Polmer said: “I am in favour of the death penalty across the board for everyone who kills.”
Berkshire resident Diane Simpson was one of the few that was undecided.
Rudolph Plomer was for capital punishment returning
Diane Simpson was undecided
Ultimately, the results from the vote saw capital punishment for murder not return, but it was still active for those who committed treason.
However, in 1998, capital punishment was fully abolished in the UK.
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