In his role as Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan has been part of some historic moments. Among them are the likes of the ULEZ, which has played a vital role in London’s air pollution dropping, as well as impressive personal achievements. He was re-elected in 2024 to a record-breaking third term. And then, in 2024, it was announced that he would be receiving a knighthood for his political and public service. Following all of that, he looks set to receive a new honour, with PM Sir Keir Starmer reportedly planning to make him Lord Sadiq Khan.
The Financial Times reports that:
“Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to offer a peerage to London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, in a bid to mollify one of his most high-profile Labour critics, according to people familiar with the matter.”
However, there are some conflicting statements and responses on the matter. The Financial Times noted that:
“One person familiar with the matter also said that conversations had taken place about Starmer offering Khan a cabinet role as part of a post-election reset. A Downing Street official said that suggestion was incorrect.”
Sadiq Khan and Keir Starmer
Khan worked as a human rights lawyer before becoming an MP in 2005. He then became the first Muslim mayor of a major Western city when he was elected as the Mayor of London in 2016. The Tooting-born, son of a bus driver has served as the Mayor of London ever since.
Sadiq Khan has been an outspoken critic of many of the Prime Minister’s policies. In particular, he has spoken out against plans for a third runway at Heathrow, as well as criticising Starmer and the Labour Party’s stances and actions on topics like immigration, UK benefits, and more.
Ultimately, reports and responses currently present conflicting pictures of the situation. As such, it’s purely hearsay at this point whether or not Sir Sadiq Khan will take up a seat in the Lords.