Keir Starmer honours Sadiq Khan with a peerage in his resignation list, marking the London mayor for years of service to the capital. The announcement came as Sir Keir prepared to leave office this week.
Sir Sadiq will take his seat on the red benches of the House of Lords. He joins former cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald and retired judge Sir Brian Leveson in the latest round of appointments.
A government source described the mayor as “a brilliant mayor who has transformed London for the better.” The praise centered on crime, housing, and transport achievements during his time in City Hall.
“He has cut violent crime to record lows, cleaned up the capital’s air, delivered the Elizabeth line, and got London building council homes again,” the source added in the statement confirming the nomination.
Sadiq Khan House Of Lords Appointment Sparks Speculation
The peerage immediately raised questions about a possible ministerial role. Members of the House of Lords can serve as ministers, opening a path to join Andy Burnham’s new cabinet expected next week.
It is understood Sir Sadiq will not take that route. His team said he intends to remain as mayor and focus on London rather than move into government.
His spokesperson said he was “honoured to be given a peerage.” They added that serving London remains his priority after rising from a council estate to City Hall.
“London gave Sadiq the opportunities to go from a council estate to being mayor of London, and his focus will continue to be ensuring that all Londoners get the same shot,” the spokesperson said.
“Serving as mayor of the greatest city in the world continues to be the privilege of Sadiq’s life. He will devote his time and energy to standing up for our city and building a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone.”
The mayor has held the office since 2016. Supporters credit him with expanding affordable housing and pushing green policies, while critics point to ongoing challenges with transport funding and crime.
Starmer Resignation Honours List Includes Cross-Party Figures
The list was not limited to Labour allies. Sir Keir included names from culture, unions, and public service in what aides said was a cross-party set of nominations agreed before his decision to stand down.
Television presenter June Sarpong and Unison general secretary Christina McAnea were among those elevated. McAnea’s union is one of Labour’s largest donors, adding political weight to the appointments.
Other Labour-linked peers include Alison Graham, chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, former MP Kitty Ussher, and Parvais Jabbar of the Death Penalty Project.
The Conservatives also featured. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch put forward Carphone Warehouse co-founder David Ross, former army chief General Sir Patrick Sanders, and psychiatrist Professor Swaran Singh.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey nominated five new peers. They are Julia Aglionby, Hannah Kitching, Tim Leunig, Dave McCobb, and Mark Petterson.
Sir Ed said: “Each of them has the right skills, experience and values to help us hold the government to account, deliver the change people need, and fix our broken politics, including reforming the House of Lords.”
The honours come after years of controversy over resignation lists. Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak all faced criticism for the scale and timing of their nominations.
In 2023, Sir Keir had ruled out a traditional list. “Tony Blair didn’t have a resignation list. It’s very hard to justify,” he said at the time. “There are other avenues for that, and I think it’s easier to be clean about this and simply say, no, I wouldn’t do it.”
That position shifted after Mr Burnham announced a leadership challenge. The honours were then framed as recognition for long service rather than political reward.
Political analysts say the timing was awkward. Announcing peers while preparing to leave Downing Street invited comparisons to previous prime ministers, despite the cross-party spread.
Supporters argue the list rewards public service. Opponents call it another example of the honours system being used to settle political scores at the end of a premiership.
For Sir Sadiq, the title adds to his profile. As mayor he has clashed with central government over funding and policing, and a peerage gives him a national platform in Parliament.
He has previously said the House of Lords needs reform. Now he will sit in it, though he has no plans to use the position to leave City Hall.
The mayor’s office emphasized continuity. “He is excited about what more can be delivered in the years ahead,” the spokesperson said, pointing to housing and air quality as key priorities.
Crime figures were central to the government’s praise. Violent crime in London has fallen to its lowest level in a decade, according to City Hall data released earlier this year.
The Elizabeth line, completed under his tenure, is cited as a major infrastructure win. Officials also highlight council house building restarted after years of decline.
Clean air policies including the ULEZ expansion remain divisive. Supporters say they improved public health, while critics argue they placed burdens on drivers and small businesses.
Despite the debate, the peerage cements Sir Sadiq’s status as one of Labour’s most prominent elected figures outside Westminster. It also keeps him close to national politics.
As Sir Keir departs, the honours list will be one of his last acts. It blends tribute, politics, and legacy in a single announcement that will shape debates in the Lords for years.
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The Independent reported the details of the nominations as part of its coverage of the prime minister’s final honours.
With Parliament returning next month, new peers will be introduced in ceremony. Sir Sadiq is expected to attend, then return immediately to mayoral duties in London.
For now, the message from Downing Street is clear. Public service deserves recognition, even in a system that remains controversial.
Keir Starmer honours Sadiq Khan not with a job offer, but with a title. The mayor says he will use it to keep fighting for the city that made him.
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