Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly considering awarding London Mayor Sadiq Khan a seat in the House of Lords as part of a strategic move to bolster Labour's precarious position ahead of the upcoming local elections in May. This potential peerage comes less than a year after Khan was knighted, aiming to rein in a senior party figure who has openly voiced disagreements with Starmer's leadership.
Political Strategy and Internal Divisions
The plan, first reported by the Financial Times, suggests that Starmer is seeking to quieten Khan, who has been unafraid to express his differences on key issues, particularly regarding Brexit. Khan has recently advocated for Labour to campaign on a platform of rejoining the European Union at the next general election, a stance that has sparked clashes within the party and highlighted deep divisions over Brexit.
Khan's Pro-EU Stance and Party Tensions
In an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica earlier this month, Sir Sadiq insisted that the government should rejoin both the customs union and the single market during this Parliament. He argued that fighting the next election on a ticket of resuming full EU membership would eliminate the need for another referendum, citing economic, social, and cultural damage from Brexit. Khan pointed to factors like the election of Donald Trump and global instability as reasons to revisit the issue, claiming that 'the facts have changed' and 'the evidence has changed'.
These comments have immediately fueled tensions among Labour MPs, underscoring that the party remains deeply split over Brexit, even as Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves push for closer ties with Brussels while maintaining certain 'red lines'.
Practical Implications and Public Backlash
If confirmed, Sir Sadiq would be able to combine his role as a peer with his duties as London mayor, following a precedent set by Tory Tees Valley Mayor Lord Houchen. However, questions have been raised about how effectively Khan could manage both positions, given that his mayoral role is significantly larger and more complex than Houchen's in the North East.
Additionally, this move is likely to provoke anger from anti-Ulez campaigners, who are already furious at the driving tax championed by Khan. The potential peerage could further inflame public opposition and complicate Labour's electoral strategy.
Denials and Speculation
Downing Street has denied reports that there have been discussions about giving Khan a Cabinet post, with a No10 source dismissing the peerage plan as mere 'speculation'. Despite this, the Financial Times maintains that such considerations are underway, indicating ongoing internal negotiations within Labour's leadership.
As the local elections approach, Starmer's potential offer to Khan reflects a broader effort to unify the party and secure its position, but it also risks exacerbating existing divisions and public discontent over key policies like Brexit and Ulez.
