Starmer to Offer Sadiq Khan Peerage Amid Labour Election Turmoil
Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to offer London Mayor Sadiq Khan a peerage in the aftermath of the May local elections, which are anticipated to deliver a brutal outcome for the Labour Party and significantly weaken the prime minister's position. This move is seen as an attempt to placate the mayor, who has repeatedly broken ranks with the government in recent months, creating internal discord within the party.
Political Strategy and Patronage
Sources have informed the Financial Times that, in addition to considering a peerage for Sir Sadiq, the prime minister is also contemplating offering him a Cabinet role as part of a broader Downing Street reset. One insider suggested that granting a peerage to Sir Sadiq—who received a knighthood just last year—would help Sir Keir "shore up his position with patronage" amid growing speculation about a potential leadership challenge. However, Downing Street sources have dismissed these reports as mere "speculation," adding uncertainty to the political landscape.
Brexit Divisions and Policy Rifts
The timing of this development is critical, coming just weeks after the London mayor publicly called for Britain to rejoin the European Union, a stance that directly contradicts the Labour Party's official position. In an interview with the Italian newspaper la Repubblica, Sir Sadiq outlined a roadmap for closer ties with the EU, including rejoining both the customs union and the single market. He emphasized the "damage Brexit has done" and stated, "I am quite clear in terms of what needs to happen, which is, we should join the European Union."
Sir Sadiq further argued that the Labour Party should fight the next general election with a clear manifesto commitment to rejoin the EU, asserting, "I think it's inevitable." This bold declaration puts him at odds with Sir Keir, who has repeatedly ruled out undoing Brexit and returning to the bloc, highlighting deep-seated policy rifts within the party.
Criticism and Electoral Concerns
Following the Gorton and Denton by-election, where Labour came third behind the Greens and Reform in a previously safe seat, Sir Sadiq heavily criticised Sir Keir's leadership. He urged the party to abandon its "flawed strategy" of taking liberal progressives for granted. Writing in the Guardian, he warned, "A political strategy of taking liberal, progressive voters for granted is clearly flawed. The national Labour party and government doesn't just need to reflect on this result, but fundamentally rethink its approach."
Sir Sadiq also took issue with the prime minister's suggestion that Green voters were extreme in the wake of the defeat. He countered, "The vast majority of those who are thinking of voting Green are not extreme. Many share our values and hopes for the country, but are disappointed with the government. Calling them extreme will only turn more people away." He expressed grave concerns about the party's future, stating, "The threat to the Labour party is now existential in parts of our country. Without a change in course, we risk a repeat of losing large Labour strongholds, like London, just as we did in the 2000s in Scotland."
Broader Implications and Response
As the political drama unfolds, Sir Sadiq's office has been contacted for comment, but no official response has been provided yet. The potential peerage offer underscores the high-stakes nature of the upcoming local elections and the internal pressures facing Sir Keir Starmer. With Labour's position precarious and divisions widening, this move could be a strategic effort to unify the party and strengthen the prime minister's leadership ahead of future challenges.
