Starmer elevates Sadiq Khan to House of Lords ahead of departure
Outgoing prime minister’s appointment of the capital’s leader comes amid broader efforts to reshape the upper chamber, though sources indicate Khan has no immediate plans to join the next cabinet.
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed London Mayor Sadiq Khan as a peer in the House of Lords, an announcement made on 16 July 2026 just days before Starmer stands down from office. The move potentially positions Khan for a future cabinet role under the incoming government led by Andy Burnham, although sources indicate the mayor has told the prime minister-in-waiting that he has no wish to serve as a minister.
Khan, who served as a London MP for a decade before stepping down in 2016 to become mayor, remains committed to his current term and has not yet announced whether he will seek a fourth term in 2028. His elevation follows a pattern of Starmer appointing more peers than any of the previous four prime ministers, a strategy supporters argue is intended to rebalance the House of Lords, which has been dominated by Conservatives and has repeatedly obstructed Labour legislation in the Commons.
While the timing coincides with Starmer’s impending departure, Downing Street sources suggested the elevation was part of a regular honours list rather than a resignation honour. This contrasts with Starmer’s previous criticism of Rishi Sunak for allowing Boris Johnson to hand out peerages to political allies, although the outgoing prime minister had recently signalled he might issue such awards despite earlier pledges not to do so.
Khan is not the first regional mayor to hold a seat in the Lords; Ben Houchen was made a peer in 2023 while serving as Tees Valley mayor. Burnham has previously proposed overhauling the second chamber into a “senate of regions and nations” with seats for metro mayors, a structure that would presumably include London. Khan, who received a knighthood last year, has led the capital through significant challenges including the pandemic, terrorist attacks, and the climate emergency.
In a statement, Khan’s office emphasised his continued focus on London, stating that serving as mayor remains the privilege of his life. A government source described the appointment as deserved, citing Khan’s record on reducing violent crime, improving air quality, and delivering major infrastructure projects such as the Elizabeth line. The exact political motivation behind the appointment remains debated, with uncertainties surrounding Khan’s future electoral plans and potential ministerial ambitions.