My Lords,

Welcome one and all to a new term in the House of Lords - if you're returning to us, please read over the below rules and swearing in options, and swear in in the Commons. If you'll be moving to the Commons or taking a leave of absence, we're sad to see you go, but please drop me or one of my deputies a DM and we'll remove you from the rolls. APs of course may swear in whenever they wish, but working and nominated peers - you have a month to swear in until we deem your title and seat to be extinct.

The rules are as follows:

Swearing-In and the Parliamentary Oath

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

I request that every Members 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 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

English (Republican)

I (name of Member Title) do swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the peoples of the United Kingdom, according to their respective laws and customs; preserving inviolably their civil liberties and democratic rights of self government, through their elected representatives in the House of Commons, and will faithfully and truly declare my mind and opinion on all matters that come before me without fear or favour. 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 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law.

English (Republican)

I (name of Member Title) do solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the peoples of the United Kingdom, according to their respective laws and customs; preserving inviolably their civil liberties and democratic rights of self government, through their elected representatives in the House of Commons, and will faithfully and truly declare my mind and opinion on all matters that come before me without fear or favour.

Welsh

Yr wyf I, (username and title), yn dwng i Dduw yr Oruchaf bydda i yn ffyddlon ac yn ddwg deyrngarwch i Ei Mawrhydi y Brenhines Elizabeth yr Ail, ei hetifeddion a holynwyr, yn ôl y deddf. Felly rhowch gymorth I mi Duw

Scottish Gaelic

Tha mi a’ mionnachadh air DIA UILECHUMHACHDACH gum bi mi dìleas agus daingeann d’a Mòrachd, a’ Bhan-Rìgh Elizabeth, a h-Oighrean agus ladsan a thig na h-Aite, a’rèir an Lagha. DIA gam chuideachadh.

Cornish

My a li gans Duw Ollgallosek dell vedhav len ha perthi omrians gwir dhe HY BRASTER AN VYGHTERNES Elizabeth, hy Heryon ha Sewyoryon, herwydh an lagha. Ytho Duw re'm gweressa.

Rule Wise

By taking this oath you are accepting the Constitution of the Model House of Commons and the Model 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 solmen affirmation) or intentions before the oath (or solemn affirmation).

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

All Lords wishing to take up their seat again from last term must re-take the oath.