Oaths of allegiance

The wording of these oaths varies considerably, but most of them have one thing in common, an allegiance to the Queen and her extended family.

An oath of allegiance, while largely meaningless in one sense, is quite important in it is often necessary in order for someone to acquire citizenship, a job or a seat in parliament. So when the law requires everyone to take an oath of personal allegiance to the monarch and her extended family, it raises significant questions about the rights of those who oppose the monarchy.

In a democracy we are all supposed to be equal citizens, each with the same rights in law as anyone else. Yet republicans are told they must lie if they are to be allowed to join the police or army, or if they wish to take a seat in parliament.

It is perhaps the parliamentary oath which is most offensive. It is the people of a constituency who freely choose someone to represent them in parliament, yet when that person arrives in Westminster they are forced to take an oath not to their electorate but to the monarch.

Who takes the oath (and who doesn't)

[From Halsbury's Laws of England]

"As soon as may be after their acceptance of office the following executive officers and members of the judiciary must take the oath of allegiance and official or judicial oath, in the form and manner prescribed":

• First Lord of the Treasury (The Prime Minister)
• Chancellor of the Exchequer
• Lord Chancellor
• Lord President of the Council
• Lord Privy Seal
• Secretaries of state
• President of the Board of Trade
• Lord Steward
• Lord Chamberlain
• Earl Marshal
• Master of the Horse
• Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
• Paymaster General
• Minister of Agriculture
• Any Minister of State who is eligible for a salary under the Ministerial Salaries Act 1975
• Lord Chancellor of Great Britain (as a member of the judiciary)
• Recorder of London
• Justices of the Peace for counties and boroughs
• District judges
• Master of the Queen's Bench Division
• Master of the Chancery Division
• Registrar in Bankruptcy of the High Court
• Taxing Master of the Supreme Court
• Admiralty Registrar
• Lord Chief Justice
• Master of the Rolls
• President of the Family Division
• Vice Chancellor
• Lord Justice of Appeal
• Puisne judge of the High Court
• Circuit judges
• Recorders
• Master of the Court of Protection

Others required to pledge allegiance to the Crown

• Archbishops and bishops
• Members of Parliament
• Peers
• Members of the Scottish Parliament
• Members of the Welsh Assembly
• Privy Counsellors
• Members of the clergy (Church of England)
• Armed services (excluding the Navy)
• Police constables
• Aliens upon naturalisation (foreign citizens wishing to become British citizens)

Those exempt from swearing allegiance to the Queen

• Members of the Royal Navy
• Northern Ireland police
• Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly
• Magistrates in Northern Ireland
• Civil servants
• Local government councillors
• Local government officials
• The Queen!