Media Release

24 August 2001

Allegience Is Sacrosanct - Ones Word Is Ones Word

“New Zealand First Deputy Leader Peter Brown today renounced the utterings of Green MP Keith Locke, that he intends to pursue removing from the Oath of Office taken by all MPs the reference that they will observe allegiance to the Queen.

“This is a blatant act of disloyalty and I have little doubt will offend a significant amount of New Zealanders, said Mr Brown.

“The current Oath sworn by every Member of Parliament is worded thus:

“I, ……. swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.”

“Like every other politician in our Parliament, Mr Locke in having taken an oath or made an affirmation, accepting of the principles contained within it, is expected to keep it. He or she must not act in any way to undermine the allegiance previously accepted. In essence when one gives ones word one must keep it.

“Mr Locke efforts will only further diminish the standing and status of MPs in this way. This comes about, all simply because of his whimsical desire to give expression to a supposedly fashionable pro-republican movement and to gain notoriety. It is an abuse of his parliamentary position”, claimed Mr Brown.

“Mr Locke has been elected to represent the people of New Zealand in the highest office attainable, he should not seek to grandstand the furtherance of his own minority views,” concluded Mr Brown.

ENDS

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