POLL OF THE DAY: Is swearing allegiance to the King as an MP outdated? - YOUR VERDICT
Clive Lewis had to re-swear his allegiance to the King in the House of Commons
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When Labour MP Clive Lewis took his MP oath in the House of Commons last week, he failed to use the correct wording.
In his first attempt last week in the House, the Norwich South MP said: "I take this oath under protest and in the hope that one day my fellow citizens will democratically decide to live in a republic.
"Until that time I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, according to law."
However, he failed to use the correct wording after failing to pledge allegiance to "King Charles's heirs and successors".
POLL OF THE DAY: Is swearing allegiance to the King as an MP outdated? - YOUR VERDICT
GB News
Lewis returned to Parliament yesterday to swear in for a second time after being warned by the Commons authorities that he faced a fine of £500 and the prospect of losing his seat if he failed to do so.
The Labour MP took to social media and posted a letter he received from the House of Commons Journal Office which said that his omission of the words "heirs and successors" meant there was "doubt" over whether his affirmation was "valid".
He proceeded to re-swear the oath, before taking to social media once again and say: "After omitting to swear allegiance to King Charles' 'heirs and successors' last week, I've had to take the oath again in order to sit in the House of Commons.
"The majority of the public are committed to democracy, and so I hope one day MPs can swear an oath based on those values."
Clive Lewis had to re-swear his allegiance to the King in the House of CommonsX"If I had not re-sworn the oath, then based on a law from 1866, I could be fined, subjected to legal action, and my seat 'shall be vacated in the same manner as if (I) were dead'."
"This should change, so MPs have the choice to swear allegiance to our constituents and democracy."
90 per cent of GB News members who voted in the poll disagreed with the idea that swearing allegiance to the King as an MP is outdated.
On the other hand just nine per cent agreed that it was outdated, while one per cent were unsure.
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