Sadiq Khan Elevated to Peerage Amidst Shifting Political Landscape
Cross-party honours list confirmed as **Keir Starmer** prepares to exit **No10**, with **Andy Burnham** poised to assume premiership.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Sarah Connor
Sadiq Khan has been made a peer, a move confirmed by Downing Street as part of a broader cross-party honours list.
Sadiq Khan's appointment to the House of Lords arrives as Keir Starmer prepares to exit No10, with Andy Burnham set to assume the Prime Minister's office on Monday.
This elevation places Khan in the House of Lords, reshaping the political landscape.
Starmer appointed more peers than previous prime ministers, a pattern that brings the convention of political honours into sharp focus.
The King 'graciously pleased to signify his intention of conferring peerages,' confirming the official nature of these appointments.
Beyond Khan, Christina McAnea, former chief of Unison, also received a peerage; the cross-party list of appointments developed before the Prime Minister announced his resignation.
Starmer pushed for Sadiq Khan's immediate placement in the House of Lords after the May local elections, aiming to strengthen Labour’s progressive flank.
However, Khan informed the prime minister-in-waiting he holds no wish to serve as a minister in his government.
Downing Street sources state Khan’s elevation came as part of a regular honours list, not directly linked to Starmer’s departure.
This contrasts with Starmer's signal last week that he could hand out resignation honours when he leaves Downing Street, despite pledging three years ago he would not do so.
Sir Sadiq will not relinquish his role as mayor, though he will not accept a ministerial role under incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Burnham, who takes over in No10 on Monday, now reviews these appointments.
Half of our national legislature being unelected was quite scandalous.
He has long argued for reform of the Upper Chamber, stating last month that 'half of our national legislature being unelected' was 'quite scandalous'.
Burnham further stated he would not 'rule out quite an early change' to the structure of the House of Lords.
Allies of Sadiq Khan claim Sir Sadiq will 'continue to devote the same time and energy as Mayor building a fairer, safer and greener city for every Londoner'.
He has yet to decide whether to stand for a fourth term in the mayoral job.
A government source claims Sadiq has been a brilliant Mayor who transformed London for the better, making this thoroughly deserved.
The source highlights his achievements, including cutting violent crime to record lows, cleaning up the capital's air, delivering the Elizabeth Line, and getting London building council homes again.
Meanwhile, Burnham, a former Greater Manchester Mayor, previously backed turning the chamber into an elected senate of regions and nations.
He reportedly considers plans to appoint metro mayors to the red benches as a first step towards a more representative body.
Sir Keir has faced pressure to stand by his promise not to hand out honours to mark his resignation.
Prime Ministers typically compile a list of gongs when they quit, often rewarding close aides and political allies; even junior staffers have received OBEs and others granted peerages in the past.
He previously expressed scathing criticism of the convention, flatly ruling out issuing one.
However, Sir Keir previously expressed scathing criticism of the convention, flatly ruling out issuing one.
No10 has yet to clarify whether Sir Keir will issue a list, which often emerges many months after a premier's departure.