Keir Starmer ‘set to offer Sadiq Khan a peerage’ in bid to shore up leadership | Politics | News

Sir Keir Starmer will offer rights to Sir Sadiq Khan after the May election, according to reports. The Prime Minister is said to be trying to consolidate his position with this move, as the Mayor of London is one of Labour’s biggest critics.

This will allow Ser Sadiq to take on a role in Sir Keir’s Cabinet. It comes as Labor faces a blow in local elections, amid speculation that MPs may try to oust the embattled Prime Minister.

The move will help Sir Keir “strengthen his position through patronage” after tight voting, a source told the Financial Times.

They added that this would also show that the Prime Minister is able to deal with the opposition and wants to utilize all the talent within the party.

An ally of Sir Sadiq said nobility was a matter for the Government.

They added that he was “entirely focused on the business of delivering services for Londoners”.

But Sir Keir is likely to face criticism if he appoints a series of new counterparts.

Despite promising to abolish the House of Lords, the Prime Minister has already appointed more peers than any of his four predecessors.

Sir Sadiq was elected to a record third term as Mayor of London in 2024 and has not ruled out running for a fourth term.

Speaking to LBC in February, he told LBC: “I have the best job in politics. I enjoy being Mayor because I can deliver on London’s promise that you have to work hard, get a helping hand, you can achieve anything.”

“I’ve worked really hard to make the city fairer, greener, safer, more prosperous and healthier. I’ll continue to do that as long as I can achieve that.”

Sir Sadiq’s office declined to comment. A government spokesman said: “This is speculation.”