Sadiq Khan among 26 New Peers Entering the House of Lords

Sadiq Khan among 26 new peers – London 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 final acts as prime minister. The announcement marks a significant moment for the capital’s political landscape, as the mayor joins a distinguished group of individuals elevated to the upper chamber. Sir Sadiq has been nominated to become a Labour Lord alongside 15 others, including broadcaster June Sarpong and former union chief Christina McAnea. This appointment represents a recognition of his extensive service to London and his contributions to national politics.

Political Peerages and Resignation Honours

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 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 BBC 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.

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, a decision that drew criticism from the party’s leadership.

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, reflecting his prominence both in London and across the country. His elevation comes at a time when questions about the composition and reform of the House of Lords are gaining momentum.

The former Labour MP is mid-way through his third term as London mayor, having first been elected in 2016. The BBC 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”. His achievements during his tenure have been widely acknowledged by colleagues and critics alike.

“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. These words reflect the mayor’s commitment to continuing his work for London’s residents.

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”. However, this position has evolved as the party has considered practical approaches to modernising the institution.

But this was watered down, with Labour committing to consider plans for an alternative second chamber, whilst immediately axing the 92 places for hereditary peers, which it did this year. Burnham has called for a complete overhaul of the unelected House of Lords. “I don’t think we can justify half of our national legislature being unelected,” Burnham told The House magazine last month. “I think this is something that is, in many ways, quite scandalous.” These comments highlight the ongoing debate about democratic legitimacy in the upper chamber.