London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jun 22, 2026

Female MPs formally sworn in while carrying their newborn babies

Labour MP Stella Creasy and Tory MP Kemi Badenoch brought their 'babies of the house' to take their seats in Parliament.

Babies of the house came to Westminster this week as MPs returned or were welcomed for the first time after the general election.

Labour MP Stella Creasy and Tory MP Kemi Badenoch were both sworn in to take their seats in Parliament while carrying their newborn babies.

Conservative education minister Kemi held the King James Bible while her daughter was strapped to her body, while Stella’s daughter Hettie was also held in a sling during her visit to the chamber.

Both mums are on maternity leave but needed to appear in Westminster in person to take an oath or solemn affirmation of allegiance to the Crown.

Until the oath or affirmation is taken, an MP may not receive a salary, take their seat, speak in debates or vote.

The pair were among the hundreds of MPs who went through the same process on Tuesday after re-elected Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle officially re-opened Parliament

The Commons erupted into a chorus of ‘ohs’ when he reminded MPs that until they take the oath or affirm they ‘will not receive any salary’.

The actual title of ‘baby of the House’ falls to the youngest MP, who is now Labour’s Nadia Whittome, 23.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was among the first Tory MPs to be sworn in followed by Home Secretary Priti Patel, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland and Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Chancellor Sajid Javid opted to affirm, as did Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, shadow women and equalities secretary Dawn Butler and ‘Mother of the House’ Labour’s Harriet Harman.

Shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith chose to complete the swearing-in process in both English and Welsh.

Labour MP Afzal Khan wrote on Twitter: ‘Today at the swearing-in ceremony, I recited my oath in Urdu to honour my father who served in the British Indian Army.’

Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall became the first of the newly-elected MPs to complete the swearing-in process, despite being told by the Speaker that the latest recruits would be sworn in today.

Chris Loder, Greg Smith and Paul Bristow were also among the new Tories to complete the swearing-in process.

Labour’s Tahir Ali – who replaced Roger Godsiff as Birmingham Hall Green MP – was the first of the party’s newly-elected 2019 cohort to be sworn in.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Expands Alcohol Ban Enforcement Using Tagging Technology Ahead of World Cup
UK Invests £50 Million in Critical Minerals Supply Chain Security
UK Appoints Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
UK Introduces Fines for Landlords of Unsafe Rental Properties
Reform UK Leads Opinion Polls as Immigration Debate Reshapes UK Politics
Police Investigate Edinburgh Attacks as Potential Hate Crimes
King Charles to Publish Personal Tax and Royal Household Financial Records
Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Inquiry Report Set for Publication
Heat-Health Alerts Issued Across London and Southern England Amid Rising Temperatures
UK Economy Shows Pressure From Middle East Conflict Despite Modest Growth
Brexit Anniversary Reignites Debate Over UK Economic and Political Direction
UK Parliament Continues Legislative Work Amid Leadership Transition
Financial Markets Hold Steady After UK Leadership Shake-Up
Andy Burnham Enters Labour Leadership Race With Strong Parliamentary Backing
Keir Starmer Resigns as UK Prime Minister After Two Years in Office
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson to Raise Pension Concerns Over British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme
UK Parliament to Debate Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Following Public Petition
Met Office Warns of Water Safety Risks During Heatwave as Temperatures Peak in England
Treasury Increases Mileage Allowance Payments for 2026–27 Tax Year to 55 Pence Per Mile
UK Government Raises Electricity Generator Levy to 55 Percent in New Revenue Measure
House of Lords Moves Financial Services and Markets Bill to Committee Stage Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
Westminster Hall to Debate Petition on Pro-Israel Influence in UK Politics
UK Parliament Prepares for Estimates Days Debates as Backbench Business Schedule Approved
Armed Forces Bill Nears Final Stages in UK House of Commons With Military Justice Reforms
Donald Trump Comments on UK Political Situation, Citing Immigration and Energy Policy Concerns
Andy Burnham By-Election Victory Fuels Speculation Over Potential Labour Leadership Contest
UK Economy Shows Resilience but Faces Headwinds from Middle East Tensions, UK Finance Says
UK Parliament Opens Week of Debates on Net Zero, Security and Armed Forces Reform
Met Office Issues Amber Extreme Heat Warning as Temperatures Expected to Reach 35C Across England and Wales
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Faces Mounting Leadership Pressure After Makerfield By-Election Defeat
London Hotel Wins World’s Best Afternoon Tea Award at International Hospitality Guide La Liste
Court of Appeal Rules in Favour of Competition and Markets Authority in Phenytoin Drug Case
Chichester Waste Site Suspended After Environment Agency Finds Serious Fire and Pollution Risks
UK Appoints Chris Elmore as Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
Environment Agency Fines Yorkshire Firms Nearly £470,000 for Environmental Permit Breaches
British Chambers of Commerce Says Post-Brexit Trade Deals Have Limited Economic Impact
Resident Doctors to Vote on Government Pay Offer in Ongoing NHS Dispute
UK Public Borrowing Reaches £46.3 Billion in Early Fiscal Year, Driven by Debt Interest Costs
UK Government Unveils £100 Million Package to Strengthen Fire and Rescue Response Capacity
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75 Percent Despite Easing Inflation
Met Office Extends Amber Heat Warning as Temperatures Forecast to Reach 38C Across Southern England
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Expected to Resign Amid Mounting Labour Party Pressure
UK Government Tightens Procurement Rules to Prioritise National Security and Supply Chain Resilience
National Drought Group Reviews Water Supply Risks After Dry Spring and Ongoing Heatwave
Andy Burnham Faces Leadership Speculation After Weak Local Election Results for Labour
Charity Commission Appoints Interim Managers to Barnabas Aid Amid Financial Investigation
Government Awards £27 Million Leonardo UK Contract to Maintain Military Aircraft Fleet
Environment Agency Suspends Chichester Waste Site Permit Over Fire and Pollution Risks
Border Force Seizes Record Cannabis Shipment in Major UK Criminal Network Disruption
Lloyds Banking Group to Hire 300 Artificial Intelligence Specialists in Digital Expansion Push
×