Tim Farron MP: Why I didn’t swear on the Bible

For the first time, Tim Farron MP chose not to swear on the Bible when he affirmed his allegiance for the seventh time in parliament this week. He explains why

This week, all MPs of the 2024 Parliament gathered to swear or affirm allegiance to the crown. This is a ritual required by law which must be done before MPs can speak in debates, vote on bills or receive a salary.

Jeremy Corbyn, while waiting in the queue to be sworn in, described the ceremony as ‘nonsense’. Others who are republicans or nationalists made much of their disdain for swearing allegiance to the English crown. But in reality, all of our promises and commitments are made in the sight of a far loftier authority than the king of England.