Witchcraft Act 1563

Early day motion 879, tabled 21 January 2022 by Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 7 members.

That this House acknowledges the brutal torture and execution of innocent people tried by the Witchcraft Act from the 16th to 18th centuries; condemns the Act, which contributed to the deaths of between 500 to 1,000 people in England, ninety per cent. of whom were women; notes the Scottish Government’s decision to pardon those accused of witchcraft; and calls on the Government to apologise and pardon those accused and convicted as witches under the Witchcraft Act 1563.

Signatures by party: Labour 2, Liberal Democrat 2, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Scottish National Party 1.