Lords Swearing In - February 2025

My Lords,

Welcome to the House of Lords. I am delighted to welcome you all to this great house and I look forward to what comes ahead in what shall be an eventful 1st term. I expect all noble peers to be civil and respectful to each other within debates. The standing orders can be viewed on the sidebar under "Useful Links" where you can also view the master spreadsheet and many more. Some things are still being tweaked and updated please bear with us as we get up and running and get off to a good start!

If you wish to take a leave of absence please modmail it in beforehand so either myself or my speakership team are aware. If you wish to leave the house for any reason please modmail before you do so.

All Working Peers will have a month to swear in or else they will need to re apply again. Achievement Peers can swear in whenever they wish, however if removed via an Activity Review they will need to wait a month before swearing back in.

The rules are as follows:

Swearing-In and the Parliamentary Oath

Charles the Third, by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and our other realms and our territories King, Head of the Commonwealth and Defender of the Faith has sanctioned the state opening of Parliament.

I request that every Member of the Lords present their writs of summons at the Table of the House and take the oath or subscribe to the affirmation.

The Oath of Allegiance and Solemn Affirmation are both set out by the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 and the Oaths Act 1978 and the amendments consequently from the Oaths Amendment Act 2016.

The Oath of Allegiance

English

I (name of Member + Title) do swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

The oath/affirmation must be made/taken initially in English, but Members of both Houses may, if they wish, to follow this with an oath or affirmation in Welsh, Scottish Gaelic or Cornish.

Or if you object to a Oath of Allegiance...

Solemn Affirmation

English

I (name of Member + Title) do solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.

Welsh

Yr wyf i, (enw + teitl) yn datganu a chadarnhau yn ddefodol, yn ddiffuant ac yn wir, y byddaf i'n ffyddlon ac yn dangos gwir deyrngarwch i Ei Mawrhydi Brenin Charles, ei etifeddion a'i olynyddion, yn ôl y gyfraith.

Scottish Gaelic

Tha mi a' (name + title) mionnachadh air Dia uilechumhachdach gum bi mi dìleas agus daingeann dha Mhòrachd, An Rìgh Teàrlach, a Oighrean agus ladsan a thig na Àite, a rèir an Lagha. Dia gam chuideachadh.

Cornish

My a de re (name of Member + Title) Dhuw ollgallosek dell vedhav len ha perthi Omrians gwir dhe Y Vraster an Myghtern Charles, Y Heryon ha Sewyoryon, herwydh an Lagha. Duw re'm gweresso.

Rule Wise

By taking this oath you are accepting the Constitution of the Model House of Parliament and the House of Lords Precedent Manual and Standing Orders. To be given voting rights and be able to contribute in the House of Lords you must take the oath or subscribe to the affirmation.

You may make a preamble before the oath (or solemn affirmation), stating any reasoning for taking an oath (or solemn affirmation) or intentions before the oath (or solemn affirmation).

All non-sitting Lords should not take the oath in this Noble House.

All Lords that do swear in will be unable to comment in the House of Commons.

As Lord Speaker I shall start:

I, DriftersBuddy, The Marquess of Barnet do swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

Let's have an awesome fun 1st term everyone!