MPs have been swearing the oath to the His Majesty King Charles in the House of Commons a process that every MP must do individually after they are elected to take up their seat and serve as an MP.
MPs cannot take their seat in Parliament, speak in debates, vote or receive a salary until they have taken the oath or made the affirmation. Under the Parliamentary Oaths Act 1866, they could also be fined £500 and have their seat declared vacant “as if they were dead” if they attempted to do so.
Penrith’s former MP Neil Hudson and Penrith’s new MP Markus Campbell-Savours have both been swearing the oath in Parliament.
Neil Hudson was elected as Conservative MP for Epping Forest and Markus Campbell-Savours was elected as Labour MP for the new Penrith and Solway Constituency in last Thursday’s General Election.
Both chose to swear on the Bible reading aloud the oath saying “I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.”
The formal opening of Parliament with the King’s Speech will take place on Wednesday 17th July when the King delivers the speech from the throne in the House of Lords.
After the King’s Speech, the House of Commons returns to the commons chamber at 2.30pm to debate the Kings speech. This debate usually lasts five or six days, with all but the first day focusing on particular subjects raised in the speech.