London Assembly Voices Opposition to Sadiq Khan's Potential Peerage
Members of the London Assembly have strongly criticized the possibility of Mayor Sadiq Khan receiving a life peerage, arguing that such a move would negatively impact Londoners. Recent reports suggested that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer might offer Khan a peerage after the upcoming local elections in May, but City Hall has dismissed these claims.
Concerns Over Mayoral Focus and Performance
Conservative Assembly Member Thomas Turrell expressed significant concerns, stating that Khan is already a distracted mayor who spends more time on grandstanding than addressing London's pressing issues. Turrell highlighted several areas where he believes Khan's administration has faltered, including a collapse in housebuilding, a recruitment crisis in the police force, and delays and budget overruns in transport upgrades such as the new DLR and Piccadilly trains.
"He needs to focus on the job he already has," Turrell emphasized. "A peerage would be another distraction, and it is Londoners who would lose out even more."
Political Reactions and Calls for Resignation
Hina Bokhari, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly, described the peerage speculation as a reaction to Labour's poor poll results. She insisted that if Khan were to accept a peerage, he should resign from his position as mayor, questioning the practicality of holding multiple titles simultaneously.
Reform UK London Assembly Member Alex Wilson added a sharp critique, calling the potential peerage offer a cynical act by Starmer to silence internal critics. Wilson pointed to Khan's record, accusing him of overseeing economic destruction, inadequate housing delivery, and rising violence in London.
Background and Current Assembly Dynamics
The London Assembly currently includes two sitting peers: Lord Bailey, who opposed Khan in the 2021 mayoral election, and Lord Duvall, the current chair. There is no formal rule against holding both an Assembly seat and a peerage, but critics argue it creates conflicts of interest.
Labour sources had suggested that offering peerages to high-profile figures like Khan could help stabilize Starmer's position after the local elections, especially given projections that Labour might lose control of 19 out of 21 councils it currently holds in London. Khan has been a vocal critic of the government's strategies on Brexit, immigration, and Gaza, though he has not called for Starmer's resignation.
Official Responses and Future Outlook
A source close to Khan denied any knowledge of a peerage list, while a government spokesperson dismissed the reports as speculation. The Local Democracy Reporting Service noted that several Labour Assembly members did not respond to requests for comment, adding to the uncertainty.
As a new wave of peerages is expected from Downing Street in the coming months, the debate over Khan's potential elevation continues to stir political tensions, with Assembly members urging a focus on governance rather than honors.
