Your MP has been elected to represent you, yet when they take their seat in parliament they will pledge their allegiance to the Queen. In this democratic age that’s just wrong.

The UK Parliament is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of the United Kingdom and its people, makes laws for the UK, and holds the UK Government to account.

Despite being elected by you to represent the people, when sworn into parliament MPs don't swear allegiance to the UK or to its people, but instead to our unelected monarch, her heirs and successors.

When elected our representatives are required to take the following oath or affirmation:

The oath states: "I (name of Member) 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."

The affirmation states: "I (name of Member) 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."

If your MP refuses to take the oath or the affirmation they will be unable to take part in parliamentary proceedings and will not be paid any salary and allowances until they’ve done so.

It's one of the great ironies of our political system that our democratically elected representatives are forced to swear allegiance to an unelected monarch.

The oath is an insult to our democratic values, and to you and all voters who participate. It has to change.

This petition calls upon the UK Parliament to establish a new oath of allegiance, one that pledges allegiance to the people, not to the Queen.