Since the weekend 5000 people have joined calls for a new oath for MPs.
MPs have started to take their oaths today, pledging allegiance to the Queen.
Campaign group Republic has set up a petition calling for a "people's oath", to better reflect modern democratic values.
Graham Smith, Republic's CEO, said today:
"Just this afternoon Paul Flynn has said he takes his oath under protest - this is unacceptable. MPs are elected by the people and should be free to pledge allegiance to the people."
"When we witness democracy in action, voters across the UK freely choosing their representatives, it is galling to think MPs will pledge allegiance to a monarch."
"This isn't just symbolic, it affects the political culture in London. As MPs prepare to take their oath it's time to talk about why they should pledge their allegiance to the people, not to the Queen."
"We need to instil a stronger democratic culture in our parliaments and assemblies - we should affirm the sovereignty of the people."
"The current oath makes a mockery of our parliament and liars of many honest MPs, who genuinely feel their first loyalty is to the interests of their constituents. And any MP who opposes the monarchy is asked on day one to speak against their principles and beliefs."
The petition reads:
To: Parliament of the United Kingdom
We petition the UK parliament to establish a new oath of allegiance, so that MPs pledge their allegiance to the people, not to the Queen.
The petition can be found at www.republic.org.uk/peoples-oath and will be handed to MPs in the coming weeks.
Sign the petition
MPs have started to take their oaths today, pledging allegiance to the Queen.
Campaign group Republic has set up a petition calling for a "people's oath", to better reflect modern democratic values.
Graham Smith, Republic's CEO, said today:
"Just this afternoon Paul Flynn has said he takes his oath under protest - this is unacceptable. MPs are elected by the people and should be free to pledge allegiance to the people."
"When we witness democracy in action, voters across the UK freely choosing their representatives, it is galling to think MPs will pledge allegiance to a monarch."
"This isn't just symbolic, it affects the political culture in London. As MPs prepare to take their oath it's time to talk about why they should pledge their allegiance to the people, not to the Queen."
"We need to instil a stronger democratic culture in our parliaments and assemblies - we should affirm the sovereignty of the people."
"The current oath makes a mockery of our parliament and liars of many honest MPs, who genuinely feel their first loyalty is to the interests of their constituents. And any MP who opposes the monarchy is asked on day one to speak against their principles and beliefs."
The petition reads:
To: Parliament of the United Kingdom
We petition the UK parliament to establish a new oath of allegiance, so that MPs pledge their allegiance to the people, not to the Queen.
The petition can be found at www.republic.org.uk/peoples-oath and will be handed to MPs in the coming weeks.
Sign the petition
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