Keir Starmer makes Sadiq Khan a peer in the House of Lords | Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan was given a rank by Keir Starmer just days before the prime minister resigned, potentially opening the door for one of Labour’s most high-profile mayors to join Andy Burnham’s cabinet in the future.
The mayor of London has long been tipped for the House of Lords and Starmer is said to be keen to place him there immediately after the May local elections in a bid to bolster Labour’s progressive wing.
While Burnham and Khan have worked closely together over the years and have a shared understanding of the challenges of devolution, the Guardian understands the mayor has told the future prime minister that he does not want to be a minister in his government.
Sources close to Khan said he was determined to focus on the final two years of his term as mayor and had not yet announced whether he would seek a fourth term in 2028. In previous elections, he announced his decision much later in the cycle.
Khan served as a London MP for a decade before resigning in 2016, and by winning the first of three consecutive elections for London mayor, he had some success in finding support beyond Labour’s core vote to defeat his Conservative rivals.
He is the first Muslim mayor of a major western capital and has led London through significant challenges, including the Covid pandemic, terrorist attacks and the climate emergency. It has also been the target of regular outbursts from US president Donald Trump.
Khan, who was knighted last year, will not be the first regional mayor to combine his role with the House of Lords. Ben Houchen set the precedent in 2023 when he served his second term as Tees Valley mayor and later won a third term.
Burnham has previously called for an overhaul of the House of Lords, suggesting the second chamber be turned into a “senate of regions and nations”, possibly with seats for the country’s metropolitan mayors, including London.
Khan is just one of a host of new candidates announced by Starmer on Thursday; It is a move that is likely to draw criticism as he appoints more than any of the previous four prime ministers.
His supporters argued he was trying to rebalance the House of Lords, which had been dominated by the Conservatives for years, and had repeatedly tried to block legislation despite a Labor majority in the House of Commons.
Downing Street sources suggested Khan’s elevation came as part of a regular honors list rather than being linked to Starmer’s departure. However, the timing was unusual; nobility was often tied to political events and appeared most frequently in spring or autumn.
Starmer signaled he might do away with the honor of resigning when he left Downing Street last week, but vowed not to do so when he finally resigned three years ago.
He criticized Rishi Sunak as opposition leader for allowing Boris Johnson to hand out awards, including peerages, to his political allies, saying it was difficult to justify this given the circumstances of his departure.
Khan’s office said in a statement: “London has given Sadiq the opportunity to become mayor of London from a council estate and his focus will remain on ensuring all Londoners have the same chance to achieve the full potential that London has to offer him and his family.
“Serving as mayor of the world’s greatest city remains the privilege of Sadiq’s life. He is excited about what more can be done in the years ahead and will dedicate his time and energy to standing up for our city and building a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone.”
A government source said: “Sadiq was a brilliant mayor who transformed London for the better, so this is fully deserved. He reduced violent crime to record levels, cleaned up the capital’s air, delivered the Elizabeth line and got council houses built again in London.”
