5,000 signatures reached
To: Scottish Parliament | Pàrlamaid na h-Alba
An oath of allegiance to the people of Scotland - NOT the Queen
Establish a new oath of allegiance for Members of the Scottish Parliament, one that pledges allegiance to the people of Scotland, not to the Queen.
Why is this important?
The Scottish Parliament is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Scotland and its people, makes laws for Scotland, and holds the Scottish Government to account.
Despite being elected to represent the people of Scotland, when sworn into parliament members of the Scottish Parliament don't swear allegiance to Scotland or to the people of Scotland, but instead to our unelected monarch, her heirs and successors.
When elected our representatives are required to take the following oath or affirmation:
The oath states: "I (Member's Name), do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Her Heirs and Successors, according to Law. So help me God."
The affirmation states: "I (Member's Name), do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Her Heirs and Successors, according to Law."
Any member who refuses to take the oath or the affirmation will be unable to take part in parliamentary proceedings and will not be paid any salary and allowances until he or she has done so. If any member has not taken the oath or affirmation within two months of the day of their election they shall cease to be a Member of the Parliament.
It's one of the great ironies of our political system that our democratically elected representatives are forced to swear allegiance to an unelected monarch.
It's an insult to democracy, and to the voters that participate. The oath has to change.
This petition calls upon the Scottish Parliament to establish a new oath of allegiance, one that pledges allegiance to the people of Scotland, not to the Queen.
Despite being elected to represent the people of Scotland, when sworn into parliament members of the Scottish Parliament don't swear allegiance to Scotland or to the people of Scotland, but instead to our unelected monarch, her heirs and successors.
When elected our representatives are required to take the following oath or affirmation:
The oath states: "I (Member's Name), do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Her Heirs and Successors, according to Law. So help me God."
The affirmation states: "I (Member's Name), do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Her Heirs and Successors, according to Law."
Any member who refuses to take the oath or the affirmation will be unable to take part in parliamentary proceedings and will not be paid any salary and allowances until he or she has done so. If any member has not taken the oath or affirmation within two months of the day of their election they shall cease to be a Member of the Parliament.
It's one of the great ironies of our political system that our democratically elected representatives are forced to swear allegiance to an unelected monarch.
It's an insult to democracy, and to the voters that participate. The oath has to change.
This petition calls upon the Scottish Parliament to establish a new oath of allegiance, one that pledges allegiance to the people of Scotland, not to the Queen.
