Sadiq Khan Reportedly Set for Lords Elevation Amid Labour Tensions
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is poised to be offered a peerage and become a Lord, according to Labour sources, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeks to placate one of his administration's most vocal critics. The move, expected after May's local elections, comes as Starmer faces a challenging political landscape and internal party dissent.
Strategic Move to Quell Criticism
Khan, who received a knighthood from Starmer last year, has been a persistent thorn in the Prime Minister's side since Labour's landslide general election victory nearly two years ago. As the longest-serving mayor in London's history, having secured a historic third term in 2024, Khan has unleashed broadsides from the left flank of the party, criticizing key government policies.
His outspoken opposition includes the multi-billion-pound bid to build a third runway at Heathrow airport, which he argues should focus on improvement rather than expansion, and he has reportedly explored legal action over current plans for the west London hub. Khan has also led a major revolt against Treasury efforts to reduce the UK's ballooning benefits bill and has intervened in elements of Shabana Mahmood's immigration crackdown.
Election Timing and Byelection Prospects
The next London mayoral election is not scheduled until 2028, raising the prospect of a crunch byelection if Khan accepts a seat in the Lords before then. This potential elevation, first reported by the Financial Times, is part of a broader strategy to shore up Starmer's standing with prominent party figures ahead of any rebellion, according to officials quoted by the newspaper.
Controversy Over Peerage Appointments
Starmer's bid to silence criticism from City Hall is likely to spark accusations that he is filling the House of Lords with sympathetic voices for political gain. No Prime Minister in modern history has handed out more peerages in their first two years than Starmer, who has overseen a major overhaul of the upper house's operations since taking office.
This month, the government fulfilled its pre-election pledge to end Britain's centuries-old tradition of hereditary peerages, with all 84 remaining Lords who inherited their titles set to lose their seats. However, some may receive life-long peerages from opposition parties as part of the shake-up.
Broader Political Context
The potential peerage for Khan comes ahead of a critical set of elections in May, which pose the biggest threat to Starmer's premiership since his landslide victory less than two years ago. The government's push to refresh the Lords follows several key policy measures being delayed by the second chamber, including its flagship workers' rights package and the assisted dying bill, which have been stuck in parliamentary ping pong.
As the political drama unfolds, the government has been approached for comment on these developments, highlighting the ongoing tensions within Labour as Starmer navigates a complex administration.
