The government has published a list of nominations to the House of Lords that includes London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, one of 26 figures set to receive life peerages in what ministers describe as a cross‑party list issued as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to vacate Downing Street.
What was announced
Downing Street said the King "has been graciously pleased to signify his intention of conferring peerages" on a mixed slate of nominees. The list comprises: 16 Labour peers, 5 Liberal Democrats, 3 Conservatives and 2 cross‑bench members.
| Group | Number of nominees |
|---|---|
| Labour | 16 |
| Liberal Democrats | 5 |
| Conservative | 3 |
| Cross‑bench | 2 |
Notable names and immediate implications
Alongside Sir Sadiq, the Labour list includes broadcaster June Sarpong and former union leader Christina McAnea. The cross‑bench appointments are senior establishment figures: former cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald and retired senior judge Sir Brian Leveson.
- The peerage would enable Sir Sadiq to sit in the Lords and, if chosen, serve as a government minister.
- The BBC was told Sir Sadiq is not seeking a ministerial post in the incoming Andy Burnham administration.
- He is midway through his third term as London mayor and has not decided whether to run again in 2028.
Context and questions raised
Government sources praised Sir Sadiq’s record in office, saying he had reduced violent crime, improved air quality, delivered major transport projects and increased council house building. A spokesperson for the mayor said he was "honoured to be given a peerage" and that he would continue to "stand up for our city and build a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone."
"He is excited about what more can be delivered in the years ahead and he will devote his time and energy to standing up for our city and building a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone," the mayor's spokesperson said.
The timing of the list is politically sensitive. Although published as Sir Keir prepares to leave office, it was described by officials as a cross‑party set of nominations compiled before his announcement of resignation. The decision has prompted commentary because it is not framed as a traditional resignation honours list, a mechanism by which departing prime ministers often make appointments.
Consequences for Westminster and London
Should Sir Sadiq formally accept and take his seat in the Lords, it would create options for his future role in national politics while raising practical questions about the operation of the mayoralty. If he chose to pursue a peerage while remaining mayor, that pathway would be unprecedented in recent arrangements between city government and the second chamber.
More broadly, the presence of metropolitan mayors in the Lords sits alongside proposals from those close to the incoming administration about strengthening regional representation in Westminster. The appointments therefore feed into an ongoing debate over the composition and purpose of the second chamber.
The list also keeps attention on the way peerages are awarded in the final days of an administration, and whether conventions around resignation honours should be revisited. For now, the nominations will progress through the formalities necessary for creation of the peerages and the new members’ introductions to the House of Lords.
