Replacing the Oath of Allegence.

Since the election of Leanne Wood to the Leadership of Plaid Cymru . It is clear that it is undemocratic to expect her to make the Oath of Allegiance required of her in order to take her seat.

The Oath is ...

I... swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

Members who object to swearing the oath are permitted to make a solemn affirmation under the terms of the Oaths Act 1978:

I... 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.

In Northern Ireland Assembly Members the situation is diffrent Although an oath of allegiance is required of members of the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly, there is no requirement for members of theNorthern Ireland Assembly to take an oath of allegiance, or any other oath, nor is there any form of voluntary oath prescribed for those who may wish to swear one. However, members are required to sign the Assembly's roll of membership, designate their identity as "Nationalist", "Unionist" or "Other", and take a Pledge of Office. Ministers can be removed from office if the responsibilities of the pledge are not met


Why should Wales be different are Republicans who have supported Violence more deserving than Republicans who have always rejected Violence.. 


Baring that in mind I tried to place a petition on the Welsh Assembly   Website but it kept rejecting it.


But then I thought before I tried again to ask readers of the Blog how they would amend it. So please comment and I'l try to present it again


The Petition Interned to read

That the  current Oath of Allegiance be for Assembly Members taking their seats be replaced with a Pledge of Office as in Northern Ireland to read
 That they promise a) To discharge in good faith all the duties of office;(b)That they are  committed  to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means;(d) to serve all the people of Wales equally, and to act in accordance with the general obligations on government to promote equality and prevent discrimination;(e) to promote the interests of the whole community represented in the Welsh Assembly towards the goal of a shared future;(f) To respect both the Welsh and English Language and recognise both are equally valid in the Assembly and Wales as a whole.(g) to participate fully in the running of the Welsh Assembly(h) to uphold the rule of law based as it is on the fundamental principles of fairness, impartiality and democratic accountability, including support for policing and the courts;(i) to participate with colleagues in the preparation of a programme for government;(j) to operate within the framework of that programme when agreed within the Welsh Assembly Government and endorsed by the Assembly;(k) to support, and to act in accordance with, all decisions of the Welsh Assembly Government and Assembly;(l) to comply with the Ministerial Code of Conduct

Please make your contribution.

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