London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been appointed to the Home of Lords, a transfer that may see him sit down within the UK’s higher legislative chamber alongside 15 different Labour figures. This appointment is among the many last nominations put ahead by Keir Starmer as he prepares to step down from his function. Khan, who has served as Mayor of London since 2016, will retain his mayoral duties whereas additionally changing into a peer. This resolution has sparked dialogue, notably given Starmer’s earlier criticisms of the unelected nature of the Home of Lords.
London Mayor Joins Home of Lords in Newest Honours Record
The newest batch of peerage nominations, put ahead by Keir Starmer, consists of distinguished Labour figures equivalent to broadcaster June Sarpong and former Unison normal secretary Christina McAnea, alongside Mayor Sadiq Khan. Whereas Khan is ready to enter the Home of Lords, his workplace has indicated that he wouldn’t settle for a ministerial place below the incoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. The response from Mr. Burnham, who is anticipated to imagine management on Monday, stays unclear. Burnham has beforehand advocated for important reforms to the Home of Lords, describing the proportion of unelected members as ‘scandalous’ and never ruling out future adjustments to its composition.
Khan’s appointment to the Lords is separate from any potential resignation honours record that Starmer would possibly current. Prime Ministers historically submit lists of honours for his or her allies and shut associates upon leaving workplace, a conference that Starmer himself has beforehand denounced. In 2023, he acknowledged that he wouldn’t challenge such an inventory, citing the issue in justifying the observe and suggesting that different avenues exist for recognition.
Key Figures Appointed to the Home of Lords
- Labour Appointees: Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London), June Sarpong (Broadcaster), Christina McAnea (Former Unison Normal Secretary), amongst 12 others.
- Conservative Appointees: Three new friends, together with former military chief Normal Patrick Sanders and Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross.
- Liberal Democrat Appointees: 5 new friends, together with agricultural economist Julia Aglionby, former Barnsley councillor Hannah Kitching, economist Tim Leunig, Lib Dem campaigns director Dave McCobb, and offshore wind entrepreneur Mark Petterson.
- Crossbench Appointee: Sir Brian Leveson, former Enchantment Court docket decide and writer of the Leveson Report on media requirements.
Sadiq Khan’s Dedication to London
A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan emphasised his continued dedication to his function as Mayor of London. “London gave Sadiq the alternatives to go from a council property to being Mayor of London, and his focus will proceed to be guaranteeing that every one Londoners get the identical shot at reaching their full potential that London gave him and his household,” the assertion learn. “Serving as mayor of the best metropolis on the earth continues to be the privilege of Sadiq’s life. He’s enthusiastic about what extra might be delivered within the years forward and he’ll commit his time and vitality to standing up for our metropolis and constructing a fairer, safer and greener London for everybody.” Allies have affirmed that Khan will preserve his give attention to enhancing London, with no quick resolution made on whether or not he’ll search a fourth time period as Mayor.
A authorities supply described Khan as a “good Mayor who has remodeled London for the higher,” citing reductions in violent crime, enhancements in air high quality, the supply of the Elizabeth Line, and elevated building of council properties as proof of his profitable tenure. These achievements, the supply urged, make his peerage completely deserved.
Potential Reforms to the Home of Lords
The appointment of recent friends comes at a time when the composition and function of the Home of Lords are below scrutiny. Andy Burnham, the incoming Prime Minister, has a historical past of advocating for reforms to the higher chamber. He has beforehand supported proposals to remodel the Lords into an elected senate representing areas and nations. Reviews counsel that Burnham could contemplate appointing metro mayors to the Lords as an preliminary step in the direction of making a extra consultant legislative physique.
The Liberal Democrats expressed their enthusiasm for his or her nominated friends. Celebration chief Ed Davey acknowledged, “I’m completely delighted that Julia, Hannah, Tim, Dave and Mark shall be becoming a member of our good Liberal Democrat crew within the Home of Lords. Every of them has the precise abilities, expertise and values to assist us maintain the Authorities to account, ship the change folks want, and repair our damaged politics, together with reforming the Home of Lords.”
Context of Resignation Honours
The observe of Prime Ministers bestowing honours upon their departure from workplace is a long-standing custom. These lists typically reward political allies and devoted employees members. Nevertheless, Keir Starmer has been a vocal critic of this conference. In previous public statements, he has explicitly dominated out creating his personal resignation honours record, contrasting his stance with that of former Prime Ministers like Boris Johnson and Tony Blair. Starmer has argued that such lists are tough to justify and that different avenues for recognition are extra applicable.
It stays to be seen whether or not Starmer will finally challenge a resignation honours record, as these usually emerge a number of months after a Prime Minister leaves Downing Avenue. The present appointments to the Home of Lords, nonetheless, characterize a big last act of Starmer’s tenure, bringing a variety of recent voices and experiences into the legislative physique.
Conclusion
Sadiq Khan’s appointment to the Home of Lords marks a big transition in his political profession, coinciding with Keir Starmer’s last nominations earlier than stepping down. Whereas Khan will proceed his work as Mayor of London, his new function as a peer introduces a brand new dimension to his public service. The broader record of appointments, encompassing figures from throughout the political spectrum, highlights ongoing discussions about the way forward for the Home of Lords and the conventions surrounding political honours.
