Lara Bird’s Finger-Crossing Oath: A Bold Statement in Westminster

Lara Bird, the newly elected SNP MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, made headlines by crossing her fingers during her oath of allegiance to King Charles, sparking a debate about loyalty and tradition.

The political landscape in Westminster took an unexpected turn on Monday, June 22, 2026, when newly elected SNP MP Lara Bird crossed her fingers during her oath of allegiance to King Charles. This gesture, captured on Parliament TV quickly became the focal point of a national discussion about loyalty, tradition, and the role of MPs in the House of Commons.

Bird, who secured the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry seat with a majority of more than 5,000 votes over the Conservatives in last Thursday’s by-election, was one of three new MPs to take the oath that day. Her actions, however, set her apart and drew both criticism and support from various quarters.

Bird’s Statement of Allegiance

During the oath, Bird made it clear where her loyalties lie. She stated, “I take this oath only so that I can serve the people of Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. My first allegiance is, and always will be, the sovereign people of Scotland.” This declaration was not just a verbal statement but was accompanied by the visible gesture of crossing her fingers, which added a layer of symbolism to her words.

Bird later shared her thoughts on social media platform X writing, “Today, I was officially sworn in at Parliament. I took this Oath in order to serve the people of Arbroath and Broughty Ferry – and declared that my loyalty will always be to the people of Scotland. It is a privilege to serve and represent our communities as your Member of Parliament.”

The Public Response

The reaction to Bird’s gesture was swift and divided. Critics accused her of making a “mockery” of the House of Commons and the oath itself. One user commented, “You shouldn’t be an MP if you’re going to disrespect the House and can’t take your oath properly.” Another remarked, “Crossing your fingers while taking the parliamentary oath isn’t a clever protest – it’s childish and undermines the seriousness of the role you’ve just been elected to.”

Supporters, however, saw the gesture as a principled stand. They argued that the oath is a constitutional anachronism and that Bird was simply making her priorities transparent. One supporter wrote, “She did it for the people of Scotland.” Others pointed out that many MPs find the oath uncomfortable and that Bird’s gesture was a way to comply with the requirement while making her true allegiance clear.

The Broader Implications

The controversy comes at a politically charged moment for the SNP and Scottish politics more broadly. Bird’s win in the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election, along with other recent Scottish by-election results, has reshaped the parliamentary arithmetic in Scotland. John Swinney the First Minister, congratulated her on her victory.

The debate about the royal oath is not new. It resurfaces regularly, particularly when new SNP or Plaid Cymru members are sworn in, or when the monarchy itself is in the news. Bird’s crossed fingers give the debate a visual hook that most oath controversies lack, which is presumably part of why the clip spread as quickly as it did.

Whether Bird has helped or harmed her own cause with the gesture is a question her constituents in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry will answer in due course. One thing is certain: her actions have sparked a conversation that goes beyond a single gesture and touches on the very nature of loyalty and representation in modern politics.