Guto Bebb, recently re-elected Member of Parliament for Aberconwy, was formally sworn in on Tuesday, 19th May 2015. Members of Parliament are required to take an oath of allegiance to the Crown before they take their seats in Parliament. MPs may choose to swear on a sacred text, those available being both the Old and New Testaments, the Koran, the Granth, a Welsh Bible and a Gaelic Bible. Alternatively, an MP may choose to make a non-religious Solemn Affirmation.
Members are sworn in in order of seniority, starting with the Speaker, followed by Cabinet Members, Shadow Cabinet Members, other Privy Councillors, other Ministers and then the remaining members in order of length of parliamentary service. MPs are not allowed to speak in parliament, vote or receive a salary until they have been sworn in. If they attempt to do so they can be fined up to £500 or have their seat declared vacant “as if they were dead”.
Swearing upon a Welsh Bible Guto took the oath in both English and Welsh, stating “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.” before “Yr wyf yn addo, trwy gymorth y Goruchaf, y byddaf yn ffyddlon ac yn wir deyrngar i’w Mawrhydi, y Frenhines Elizabeth, ei hetifeddion a’i holynwyr, yn ôl y Ddeddf, yn wyneb Duw.”
With the State Opening of Parliament planned for 27th May, Guto is looking forward to getting back to doing the job 12,513 people elected him to do – representing the residents of Aberconwy.
To watch Guto being sworn in please follow the link below and watch from 16:37hrs. http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/51106f80-04a4-482f-831a-65712e…