Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, is among 26 individuals granted peerages as Sir Keir Starmer departed from No10. Khan will take his seat in the House of Lords during his third term at City Hall. A recent poll indicates he would win a fourth term if he chooses to stand for re-election, with a decision expected next year on the 2028 contest.
Labour Praise for Khan's Record
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer fully endorsed Khan, with a Government source stating: “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.”
Labour MPs also voiced strong support. Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Khan's successor as MP for Tooting, posted on X: “Huge congratulations to @SadiqKhan on his well-deserved peerage. From growing up on the Henry Prince Estate to leading our capital city and now a member of the Lords - he's a dedicated public servant.”
Stratford and Bow Labour MP Uma Kumaran called it “a brilliant appointment to the House of Lords,” adding: “Having worked closely with Sadiq over the course of a decade, I’ve had the privilege of seeing first-hand his unwavering commitment to London.”
Peckham Labour MP Miatta Fahnbulleh said: “Wonderful news - delighted for @sadiqkhan, who has dedicated his life to standing up for Londoners & making our city fairer, safer, and greener for all.” Vauxhall and Camberwell Green Labour MP Florence Eshalomi remarked: “South London stand up - so pleased to see this news. @sadiqkhan's record as Mayor speaks for itself - a whole generation of young people growing up with cleaner air, free school meals and more opportunities at their finger tips.” Ilford South Labour MP Jas Athwal added: “This honour is a fitting recognition of his years of selfless service to our city. Congratulations, Lord Sadiq Khan.”
Conservative and Reform Criticism
Shadow London minister Gareth Bacon, MP for Orpington, strongly criticised the peerage: “Sadiq Khan has been a disastrous Mayor of London. Under his watch, housebuilding has collapsed to levels not seen since the Second World War.” He added: “He has almost doubled his share of Council tax, he hammered motorists with ULEZ expansion and repeated Congestion Charge increases, all the while allowing Londoners to endure hundreds of days of TfL strikes. Rewarding this record of abysmal failure will come as slap in the face to every Londoner and it speaks volumes about a Labour Party that rewards cronyism. Sadiq Khan has done nothing to earn a place in the Lords.”
Reform UK’s London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham questioned Khan's consistency: “Sadiq Khan wanted the House of Lords abolished. Now he’ll happily take a seat there as Lord Khan. What changed? Your principles, or your title? Isn’t being Mayor of London enough of a title for you? And will you now resign?”
Westminster Tory councillor Festus Akinbusoye asked: “Why exactly is Sadiq Khan getting a peerage? Housing starts DOWN 84% since 2015... Fewer police officers now than when he came into office.... Expanded ULEZ across all of London, punishing workers and businesses.”
Khan's Response
On his peerage, Sir Sadiq spoke of the “honour” of going to the Lords. A spokesman for the Mayor 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.”
