Original upload date: Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT
Archive date: Tue, 07 Dec 2021 02:21:30 GMT
20th May 2010: Following their election/re-election, British Members of Parliament line up to swear the oath of allegiance or make a solemn affirmation in order to formally confirm their seat in the H
...
ouse of Commons.
Failure to take the oath of affirm can result in a £500 fine or members losing their seats.
The oath must be read in English but may be repeated in a second language if members choose. The New Testament, the Old Testament (in English and Hebrew), the Koran, the Granth, the Welsh Bible and the Gaelic Bible are provided to those who wish.
Volume is increased at 1.15 to reveal an interesting conversation between a returning MP and The Principal Clerk of the Table Office:
Clerk: congratulations on your appointment. Are you going to swear or affirm?
MP: I think I'll swear.
Clerk: Right. You know the drill.
MP: I put my hand on the book, and when do I start speaking?
Clerk: Now.
MP: Right... [puts on theatrical voice] I SWEAR BY ALMIGHTY GOD..etc..
Clerk: You'll get used to this dispatch box I imagine.
MP: .. All the clasps (?) are worn away aren't they.. Of course, anything I say to you now is broadcast to a grateful nation.
Clerk: Yes, so be very careful..
MP: How many muslims do you have swearing?
Clerk: Err two (?)
MP: What is the oath for a muslim?
Clerk: The oath is the same, but the bible is the Koran.
MP: Oh right. And this is if you want to do it in Welsh.
Clerk: Or in Scottish.
MP: Scottish or Welsh?
Clerk: Or Cornish.
MP: What, you use the same... is it different words?
Clerk: ...the Welsh is there, and that's the Scottish. And the Cornish is there..
MP: Has anyone sworn in on Cornish?
Clerk: Yes, two. And we've got one more, I think the member for....
MP: I've just sent err, I just sent 45 million condoms to Uganda. [laughs] True!
