- Sadiq Khan has been appointed a peer in the House of Lords as part of a list of 26 new peers announced by Keir Starmer.
- This appointment allows Khan to potentially serve as a minister in Andy Burnham's government, although he has indicated he will not take on a ministerial role until after his term as mayor ends.
- Starmer has appointed a total of 66 peers since taking office, with this latest list seen as an effort to strengthen Labour's position in the House of Lords.
- The government has stated that this list was not a resignation honours list but rather a planned set of appointments.
- Sadiq Khan has served as the London mayor since 2016 and was re-elected for a third term in 2024, focusing on his role rather than immediate ministerial ambitions.
- Starmer's peerage appointments are part of a broader strategy to rebalance the House of Lords, which has been dominated by the Conservatives.
- Khan is the first Muslim mayor of a major western capital and has led London through significant challenges, including the Covid pandemic and climate emergency.
Keir Starmer's recent appointment of Sadiq Khan as a peer in the House of Lords is part of a broader strategy to enhance Labour's representation in the upper chamber, which has seen a series of defeats recently. Khan, who has served as London mayor since 2016, is one of 26 new peers announced by Starmer, alongside notable figures like broadcaster June Sarpong and former union chief Christina McAnea.123567
The government has clarified that this list is not a resignation honours list, despite the unusual timing, as such lists typically coincide with political events. Starmer has appointed 66 peers since taking office, and this latest move aims to narrow the gap with the Conservative peers, who currently hold 246 seats compared to Labour's 216.
Khan, re-elected for a third term in 2024, has expressed his commitment to his role as mayor, stating, “Serving as mayor of the greatest city in the world continues to be the privilege of Sadiq’s life.” He has indicated that he will not take up a ministerial position until his term ends in 2028, focusing instead on his responsibilities in City Hall.
A government source praised Khan as 'a brilliant mayor who has transformed London for the better', affirming that his peerage is well-deserved. The list also includes five new peers from the Liberal Democrats and three from the Conservatives, reflecting a diverse political landscape in the House of Lords.
As Starmer prepares to step down, the peerage appointments signal a significant shift in Labour's strategy, aiming to solidify its influence in the House of Lords amidst ongoing political challenges.
“Khan's peerage qualifies him for a ministerial role in Andy Burnham's future government, but he plans to prioritize his mayoral duties until 2028. The 26 new peers announced Thursday include former Unison head Christina McAnea and broadcaster June Sarpong, while Reform UK was denied any appointments.”
The Times
The Guardian
