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Sadiq Khan has been handed a peerage by Keir Starmer just days before the prime minister stands down, potentially opening the door to one of Labour’s most high-profile mayors joining Andy Burnham’s cabinet in future.
The London mayor has long been tipped for the House of Lords, with Starmer said to have been keen to put him there immediately after the May local elections in an attempt to shore up Labour’s progressive flank.
While Burnham and Khan have worked closely together over the years, and have a shared understanding of the challenges of devolution, the Guardian understands the mayor has told the prime minister-in-waiting that he has no wish to be a minister in his government.
Sources close to Khan said he was committed to focusing on the last two years of his mayoral term, and has not yet announced whether he wants to seek a fourth term in 2028.
Khan is just one of 26 new peers announced by Starmer on Thursday, in a move likely to be criticised as he has already appointed 66 since coming to power two years ago.
His supporters argue that he has been attempting to rebalance the House of Lords, which has been dominated for years by the Conservatives and, despite Labour’s majority in the Commons, has repeatedly tried to thwart legislation.
Downing Street sources suggested Khan’s elevation came as part of a regular honours list, rather than being linked to Starmer’s departure. However, the timing was unusual, with peerages usually tied to political events and most commonly appearing in the spring or autumn.
Starmer signalled last week that he could hand out resignation honours when he leaves Downing Street, despite pledging three years ago he would not do so when he eventually stood down.
As the opposition leader, he criticised Rishi Sunak for allowing Boris Johnson to hand out awards, including peerages, to his political allies, saying it was difficult to justify given the circumstances of his departure.
Khan is among 16 new political appointments made by the prime minister, while Lib Dem leader Ed Davey has made five nominations and the Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has made three, including businessman and party donor David Ross, who donated £10,000 to her leadership campaign.
Starmer’s appointments also included Christina McAnea, the former general secretary of Unison, the country’s biggest union, and June Sarpong, the broadcaster and charity campaigner.
The former cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald, who was forced out of his post by Starmer earlier this year, and Sir Brian Leveson, a retired senior judge who led inquiries on the press and criminal courts, will become crossbenchers.
Reform UK was not given any peerages to distribute, with party leader Nigel Farage accusing the House of Lords of being “the uniparty writ large”.
Burnham has previously called for an overhaul of the House of Lords, proposing to turn the second chamber into a “senate of regions and nations”, with seats for the country’s metro mayors, presumably also including London.
Khan spent a decade as a London MP before stepping down in 2016, having won the first of what would become three consecutive elections to be London mayor, a role in which he has had some success in courting support beyond Labour’s core vote to defeat Conservative opponents.
He is the first Muslim mayor of a major western capital and has led London through significant challenges, including the Covid pandemic, terrorist attacks and the climate emergency. He has also been the target of regular outbursts from the US president, Donald Trump.
Khan, who received a knighthood last year, will not be the first regional mayor to combine their role with the House of Lords. Ben Houchen was made a peer in 2023, while serving his second term as Tees Valley mayor, and later winning a third term.
In a statement, Khan’s office said: “London gave Sadiq the opportunities to go from a council estate to being mayor of London, and his focus will continue to be ensuring that all Londoners get the same shot at reaching their full potential that London gave him and his family.
“Serving as mayor of the greatest city in the world continues to be the privilege of Sadiq’s life. 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.”
A government source said: “Sadiq has been a brilliant mayor who has transformed London for the better, so this is thoroughly deserved. 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.”
