Establish a new oath of allegiance for Members of National Assembly of Wales, one that pledges allegiance to the people of Wales, not to the Queen.

The National Assembly for Wales is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people, makes laws for Wales, and holds the Welsh Government to account.

Despite being elected to represent the people of Wales, when sworn into parliament members of the Assembly don't swear allegiance to Wales or to the people of Wales, 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 (Member's Name), do swear 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."

"Yr wyf i, yn tyngu y byddaf yn ffyddlon ac yn wir deyrngar i’w Mawrhydi y Frenhines Elizabeth yr Ail, ei hetifeddion a’i holynwyr, yn unol â’r gyfraith. Cynorthwyed Duw fi."

The affirmation states: "I (Member's Name), 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."

"Yr wyf i, yn datgan ac yn cadarnhau yn ddifrifol, yn ddiffuant ac yn ddidwyll, y gwasanaethaf Ei Mawrhydi y Frenhines Elizabeth yr Ail, ei hetifeddion a’i holynwyr, yn unol â’r gyfraith."

Any member who refuses to take the oath or the affirmation will be unable to take part in parliamentary proceedings and will not be paid any salary and allowances until he or she has done so. If any member has not taken the oath or affirmation within two months of the day of their election they shall cease to be a Member of the Assembly.

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.

It's an insult to democracy, and to the voters that participate. The oath has to change.

This petition calls upon the National Assembly for Wales to establish a new oath of allegiance, one that pledges allegiance to the people of Wales, not to the Queen.