Full Breakdown
Sir Sadiq Khan Granted a Peerage in Sir Keir Starmer’s Resignation Honours List
7/16/2026, 9:28:12 PM
Core Event
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a cross-party honours list that includes Sir Sadiq Khan, London’s mayor since 2016, among 26 new members of the House of Lords. The peerage will allow Khan to sit on the “red benches” while retaining his mayoral duties. The list was released shortly before Parliament’s summer recess and follows Starmer’s scheduled resignation on 20 July 2024.
Background & Context
Starmer’s resignation honours were prepared before his departure was announced and differ from his 2023 pledge not to issue a traditional list. In 2023 he said, “Tony Blair didn’t have a resignation list. It’s very hard to justify… I wouldn’t do it.” He later signalled a possible reversal, and the current list includes peers from Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives. The practice of prime ministers recommending peers is described as “normal” by Downing Street, though Labour has previously accused the Tories of “stuffing” the chamber.
Key Figures & Groups
- Sir Sadiq Khan – Mayor of London, now a prospective Labour peer.
- Sir Keir Starmer – Outgoing Labour Prime Minister, author of the honours list.
- Sir Chris Wormald – Former cabinet secretary, appointed as a cross-bench peer.
- Sir Brian Leveson – Retired senior judge, also a cross-bench peer.
- Sir Ed Davey – Liberal Democrat leader, who welcomed five new Liberal Democrat peers.
- Other notable appointees: June Sarpong (broadcaster), Christina McAnea (former Unison general secretary), Alison Graham (Child Poverty Action Group chief executive), Kitty Ussher (former MP/economist), Parvais Jabbar (co-executive of The Death Penalty Project).
Data & Statistics
- The House of Lords now has 774 members.
- Party composition: Conservatives 246, Labour 216, Crossbench 156, Liberal Democrats 74.
- Starmer’s list adds 16 seats nominated by the Prime Minister and 5 by Sir Ed Davey, bringing the total new appointments to 26.
Why It Matters / Impact
Peers may be appointed to ministerial positions; Khan’s elevation opens the possibility of joining Andy Burnham’s future cabinet, though his spokesperson says he does not seek a ministerial role. The honours also revive debate over the size and political balance of the Lords, especially after the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026 ended hereditary seats.
Official Statements & Responses
- Starmer’s 2023 comment reaffirmed his reluctance to issue resignation honours, highlighting a shift in policy.
- A government source praised Khan’s record, noting reductions in violent crime, air-quality improvements, delivery of the Elizabeth Line and council-home construction.
- The mayor’s spokesperson emphasized Khan’s continued commitment to “building a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone.”
- Sir Ed Davey said the new Liberal Democrat peers have “the right skills, experience and values to help us hold the government to account, deliver the change people need, and fix our broken politics, including reforming the House of Lords.”
Criticism & Opposition
Labour has previously accused the Conservatives of “stuffing” the Lords, and Starmer’s reversal on resignation honours has drawn criticism for appearing to abandon his earlier pledge. Observers note the growing size of the chamber and ongoing calls to reduce its membership.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of appointments attributed to Starmer: some describe 16 seats nominated by the Prime Minister, while others refer to a total of 26 new peers across parties. No source confirms whether Khan will stand again in the 2028 mayoral election.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A government source said: “Sadiq has been a brilliant mayor who has transformed London for the better, so this is thoroughly deserved.” — Government source
- “Tony Blair didn’t have a resignation list. It’s very hard to justify. There are other avenues for that and I think it’s easier to be clean about this and simply say, no, I wouldn’t do it.” — Sir Keir Starmer
- “London gave Sadiq the opportunities to go from a council estate to being Mayor of London, and his focus will continue to be ensuring that all Londoners get the same shot at reaching their full potential that London gave him and his family.” — Mayor’s spokesperson
- “Sir Ed said: “Each of them has the right skills, experience and values to help us hold the government to account, deliver the change people need, and fix our broken politics, including reforming the House of Lords.” — Sir Ed Davey
What’s Next
Starmer will formally leave office on 20 July 2024. Khan has not announced whether he will seek re-election as mayor in 2028 and has reiterated that he will not pursue a ministerial post. The newly expanded Lords will convene after the summer recess, where the added peers, including Khan, will take their seats.
