Keir Starmer has made London Mayor Sadiq Khan a peer as part of an honours list naming 26 new members of the House of Lords, days before the prime minister leaves Downing Street.
Key facts
- Sadiq Khan has been given a peerage in the House of Lords.
- The appointment comes as Starmer creates 26 new peers days before leaving office.
- The list also includes campaigners, military leaders and senior civil servants, according to Al Jazeera.
- The Guardian reports the move could open the door for Khan to join Andy Burnham's future cabinet.
- Downing Street sources said the elevation is part of a regular honours list, not tied to Starmer's departure.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been given a seat in the House of Lords by Keir Starmer, just days before the prime minister stands down, according to the Guardian. Khan’s peerage forms part of a final honours list under which Starmer is creating 26 new peers.
The Guardian reports that the appointment potentially opens the door for Khan, one of Labour’s most high-profile mayors, to join Andy Burnham’s cabinet in the future. The London mayor has long been tipped for the House of Lords.
According to the Guardian, Starmer had been keen to put Khan in the Lords immediately after the May local elections in an attempt to shore up Labour’s progressive flank.
Downing Street sources suggested Khan’s elevation comes as part of a regular honours list, rather than being linked specifically to Starmer’s departure, the Guardian reports.
Al Jazeera reports that the outgoing prime minister’s final honours list also includes campaigners, military leaders and senior civil servants alongside the 26 new peers.
Separately, the Press Association reports that couples could legally marry in forests, on beaches, at sea or in their gardens under new proposals. PA says a government consultation announced covering rules in England and Wales could help cut the costs of weddings and mean two ceremonies are no longer required to cover different faiths. PA notes the average wedding in England is estimated to cost more than £20,000 (about $26,000), with venue hire alone typically accounting for around £6,000 (about $7,800) without catering.
Why it matters
Starmer's final honours list reshapes membership of the unelected House of Lords in his last days in office. Khan's peerage could reshape Labour's leadership dynamics by potentially freeing him to serve in a future cabinet under Andy Burnham.
Frequently asked questions
How many new peers is Starmer creating?
According to the Guardian, Starmer is creating 26 new peers as part of his final honours list before leaving Downing Street.
Why was Sadiq Khan given a peerage?
Downing Street sources said the elevation comes as part of a regular honours list rather than being linked to Starmer's departure. The Guardian reports it could potentially open the door for Khan to join Andy Burnham's cabinet in future.
Who else is on the honours list?
Al Jazeera reports the list also includes campaigners, military leaders and senior civil servants.