Sadiq Khan among 26 new peers to enter the Lords

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Sadiq Khan among 26 new peers to enter the LordsImage source, PA MediaByJoshua NevettPolitical reporterPublished12 minutes agoLondon Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is one of 26 new peers to be given seats in the House of Lords in one of Sir Keir Starmer's last acts as prime minister. Sir Sadiq has been nominated to become a Labour Lord alongside 15 others, including broadcaster June Sarpong and former union chief Christina McAnea. The government has also announced five new peers from the Liberal Democrats, three from the Conservatives and two cross-bench members, the former cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald and Sir Brian Leveson, a retired senior judge.

Downing Street published a list of the nominations, external and said the King "has been graciously pleased to signify his intention of conferring peerages". The nominations come as Sir Keir prepares to leave office on Monday, when Andy Burnham is due to become the next prime minister. The has been told this was a cross-party list of nominations that was being worked on before Sir Keir announced his resignation as Labour leader last month.

The Details

It is a list of "political peerages" rather than resignation honours prime ministers usually grant on their departure from office. It comes after Sir Keir signalled he could hand out resignation honours when he leaves Downing Street, despite saying in 2023 he found giving out such awards "very hard to justify". Reform UK was not granted any peerages in the list published on Thursday.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the appointments were "the uniparty writ large". "Once again there is nothing for Reform and we get an even more unrepresentative upper house," Farage said. Sir Sadiq's nomination was among the most eye-catching on the list.

The former Labour MP is mid-way through his third term as London mayor, having first been elected in 2016. The understands Sir Sadiq is not seeking a ministerial role in Andy Burnham's incoming government and has not yet decided whether he wants to seek a fourth term as mayor in 2028. A government source praised Sir Sadiq as "a brilliant mayor who has transformed London for the better" and said his peerage was "thoroughly deserved".

What Experts Say

"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 said. A spokesperson for the mayor said Sir Sadiq was "honoured to be given a peerage". "He is excited about what more can be delivered in the years ahead and 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's spokesperson said.

Members of the House of Lords are generally appointed by the King on the advice of the prime minister. Once a nominee passes vetting, appointments to the Lords are formalised by the King. In 2022, Labour said it planned to abolish the Lords, replacing it with a "new, reformed upper chamber".

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.