London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to offer a peerage to Sir Sadiq Khan after the local elections. The embattled Prime Minister will reportedly elevate the London Mayor to the House of Lords in a bid to save his premiership.
Labour is facing a drubbing at the May ballots with speculation that MPs could move to oust Sir Keir. Sir Sadiq, who was given a knighthood last year, has been one of his most prominent Labour critics.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing ongoing speculation over his leadership (Image: Getty)
A source told the Financial Times that the move would help the Prime Minister “shore up his position with patronage” as he faces a moment of maximum danger.
They added that there had been discussions about offering Sir Sadiq a Cabinet role, but this was denied by Downing Street.
Education minister Josh MacAlister did not deny that the London Mayor could be handed a peerage when asked yesterday [FRI].
He told Sky News: “What I would say is that as a minister who’s sat in the House of Commons, when you’ve got members of the House of Lords in local government, and now in mayoral positions, it’s incredibly important for the legislation we’re trying to pass, and making sure that the laws that we make are scrutinised by, challenged by and improved by those who are closest to the ground.
“So the principle of it is certainly not a bad idea. We’ve got lots of great mayors across the country.”
Sir Sadiq hit out at Sir Keir after Labour lost the crunch Gorton and Denton by-election last month.
He also backed Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham when he criticised the PM’s leadership last year.
Sir Sadiq, who was an MP before becoming London Mayor, was elected for a record third term in 2024 and has not ruled out a fourth run.
Speaking in February, he told LBC: “I’ve got the best job in politics. I’m thoroughly enjoying being the Mayor because I can deliver on the London promise that you work hard, you get a helping hand, you can achieve anything.
“I’ve worked really hard to make the city fairer, greener, safer, more prosperous and healthy. As long as I can deliver, I will carry on doing so.”
The Prime Minister is likely to face criticism if he appoints new peers as he pledged to abolish the House of Lords.
No 10 and the London Mayor declined to comment.
