Parliament

MPs are required by law to swear an oath or make an affirmation on taking their seats in Parliament, at the start of each new parliament, and after the death of the monarch. Those that refuse to take the oath or make the affirmation are barred from participating in parliamentary proceedings. MPs may not receive their salary or allowances until after they have taken the oath / affirmation.

Text:

There are 2 alternative options, but the requirement to pledge allegiance to the monarch remains:

MPs who object to swearing an oath are permitted to make a "solemn affirmation" [Oaths Act 1978]

The requirement to take the oath / affirmation is also enshrined in the Code of Conduct for MPs:

UK Devolved Legislatures

The same form of the oath as that used at Westminster is adopted for the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly, but not for the Northern Ireland Assembly, which has a pledge of office.

Scottish Parliament

A person returned to the Scottish Parliament cannot take part in any proceedings until he or she has taken the oath of allegiance or made a solemn declaration [Scotland Act 1998 84(1) (2)].

Text:

The affirmation states:

Members can opt to repeat their oath / affirmation in a second language.

National Assembly for Wales

A person returned to the Welsh Assembly cannot take part in any proceedings until he or she has taken the oath of allegiance or made a solemn declaration [Government of Wales Act 2006, s. 23]

Northern Ireland Assembly

Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLAs) do not have to swear an oath of allegiance to the Crown.

MLAs are only required to sign the Assembly's roll of membership. Additionally, on account of the region's unique history, they are required to designate identity (Nationalist, Unionist or Other).

NI Ministers are required to take a pledge of office, as provided for in the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Schedule 4). Ministers can be removed from office if the responsibilities of the pledge are not met

Text:

Pledge of Office

1.4 Under the Belfast Agreement and under sections 16, 18 and 19 of the Act, it is a condition of appointment that Ministers of the Northern Ireland Assembly, including the First Minister and the deputy First Minister and junior Ministers, affirm the terms of the following Pledge of Office.
(a) to discharge in good faith all the duties of office;
(b) commitment to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means;
(c) to serve all the people of Northern Ireland equally, and to act in accordance with the general obligations on government to promote equality and prevent discrimination;
(ca) to promote the interests of the whole community represented in the the Northern Ireland Assembly towards the goal of a shared future;
(cb) to participate fully in the Executive Committee, the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council;
(cc) to observe the joint nature of the offices of First Minister and deputy First Minister;
(cd) to uphold the rule of law based as it is on the fundamental principles of fairness, impartiality and democratic accountability, including support for policing and the courts as set out in paragraph 6 of the St Andrews Agreement;
(d) to participate with colleagues in the preparation of a programme for government;
(e) to operate within the framework of that programme when agreed within the Executive Committee and endorsed by the Assembly;
(f) to support, and to act in accordance with, all decisions of the Executive Committee and Assembly;
(g) to comply with the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

Paragraph six of the St Andrews Agreement says:

Monarchy Oath

New Sovereigns must make an accession declaration on the death of their predecessor:

Judicial Oath

On being sworn in judges take two oaths/affirmations: the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath, collectively referred to as the judicial oath.

1st Text:

2nd Text:

Judges of the Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh religions can omit the words "I swear by Almighty God" and replace it with an acceptable alternative.

Magistrates swear the following oath:

** Amendments to the judicial oath have been made for Northern Ireland by the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 s.19 following a review of the criminal justice system:

Oath -

Affirmation and declaration -

Privy Counsellor Oath

On appointment a new Privy Counsellor takes the oath of allegiance, or affirms loyalty:

Armed Forces (excluding royal navy)

Enlisting members of the armed forces are required to pledge allegiance to the monarch as Head of the Armed forces via an oath / affirmation.

The military text is as follows:

Police Officers

Police in England and Wales:

Police in Scotland:

Police in Northern Ireland:

The police in Northern Ireland do NOT swear an oath to the monarch. This is as a result of changes recommended by the Patten Commission:

The oath until September 2001:

The oath from September 2001:

New British Citizens

Oath and pledge is required:

Oath:

Pledge:

[Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002]

Clergy of the Church of England