Sadiq Khan Accepts Peerage to House of Lords Amidst Acclaim and Scrutiny
London Mayor's elevation to the upper chamber during his third term sparks debate over his legacy and future political landscape.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has accepted a peerage to the House of Lords, confirming his entry into the upper chamber during his third term at City Hall.
Keir Starmer's resignation honours list included a peerage for Sadiq Khan, one of Starmer's final actions before his departure from No 10.
This appointment places Khan within a lineage of political figures who have navigated both mayoral and parliamentary roles.
Ben Houchen, the Tory mayor of Tees Valley, previously served three years in the House of Lords, establishing a precedent for such dual service.
Conservative London Assembly member Shaun Bailey also holds a peerage, further solidifying this trend of political appointments to the upper chamber.
Beyond these examples, Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, has put forward five nominations for peerages, indicating a broader, cross-party engagement with the House of Lords.
The decision to grant Khan a peerage has ignited sharp criticism from several political quarters.
Gareth Bacon, Shadow Minister for London and MP for Orpington, asserts Khan has been a 'disastrous Mayor of London'.
Bacon contends that under Khan's leadership, 'housebuilding has collapsed to levels not seen since the Second World War' and that he has 'almost doubled his share of Council tax'.
Rewarding this record of abysmal failure will come as slap in the face to every Londoner and it speaks volumes about a Labour Party that rewards cronyism. Sadiq Khan has done nothing to earn a place in the Lords.
Furthermore, Bacon states Khan 'hammered motorists with ULEZ expansion and repeated Congestion Charge increases' and 'allowed Londoners to endure hundreds of days of TfL strikes'.
Echoing these criticisms, Festus Akinbusoye, a Westminster Tory Councillor, highlights housing starts are 'DOWN 84% since 2015'.
Akinbusoye also points out 'fewer police officers now than when he came into office' and that Khan 'expanded ULEZ across all of London, punishing workers and businesses'.
Susan Hall states Khan has done 'nothing' to deserve the peerage and has made an 'absolute hash' of his job as Mayor.
Hall also notes 'less police officers now than when he came into position 10 years ago' and that the Metropolitan Police 'lack so much in funding'.
Conversely, a Government source offered strong praise for Khan's tenure, stating, 'Sadiq has been a brilliant mayor who has transformed London for the better, so this is thoroughly deserved'.
Sadiq has been a brilliant mayor who has transformed London for the better, so this is thoroughly deserved.
The source confirms Khan 'cut violent crime to record lows,' 'cleaned up the capital's air,' and 'delivered the Elizabeth Line'.
The Government source also states Khan 'got London building council homes again,' presenting a stark contrast to the criticisms levied against his record.
Khan has received round-the-clock police protection since 2017, underscoring the intense public scrutiny and security demands of his mayoral role.
A recent poll suggested Khan would secure a fourth term if he chose to stand for re-election, indicating a continued base of public support despite ongoing political attacks.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham is set to enter Number 10 on Monday, committed to delivering a significant rebalancing of power across the UK.
Khan has informed Burnham he has no desire to become a minister, clarifying his immediate political ambitions and potentially avoiding a direct conflict of interest.
However, Susan Hall asserts Sir Sadiq would have to resign as Mayor if he were offered a Cabinet position by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, outlining a potential future political crossroads.