LONDON: Keir Starmer pledged his loyalty to the King on Friday by choosing a form of words that avoided referring to God.
The Labour leader joined Liz Truss and other senior MPs in pledging their allegiance to the new King as Parliament met for a rare on Friday sitting, before the cabinet was received by the sovereign at Buckingham Palace for the first time. During the swearing in ceremony, MPs have an option of taking an oath or making a “solemn affirmation”.
Sir Keir, who is an atheist, was one of a number of MPs who opted for the affirmation.
He said: “I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to his majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors according to law.” Penny Mordaunt, the Leader of the House of Commons, who presided over Saturday’s Accession Council as acting Lord President of the Council, also chose the affirmation.
If Sir Keir were to win the next election, he would be the first openly atheist leader in British history. In an interview last year, he said he had a “lot of time and respect for faith”. “I am not of faith, I don’t believe in God, but I can see the power of faith and the way it brings people together,” he said.
Ms Truss meanwhile took the oath. Holding a copy of the Bible, she said: “I swear by almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God.”