London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been appointed to the House of Lords as part of Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation honours list.. This appointment follows a 2022 statement in which Khan argued for the total abolition of the upper chamber.
The 2022 clash with Shaun Bailey
Sadiq Khan previously used a heated exchange with Conservative peer Shaun Bailey to justify his stance against the House of Lords. During a 2022 London Assembly meeting, the Mayor argued that his interactions with Bailey served as definitive proof that the institution was unnecessary and should be dismantled. This past rhetoric, which framed the Lords as a source of political friction rather than a legislative asset, now stands in direct contrast to his recent elevation to the peerage.
A potential £58,500 windfall for the Mayor
New members of the House of Lords are eligible for a tax-free daily allowance of £390 for every day they attend official sittings. If Sadiq Khan attends the typical 150 sittings held annually, he could potentially receive an additional £58,500 in payments. this amount would be paid in addition to his current £170,000 salary as the Mayor of London . As reported by the source, Khan's aides have not yet clarified whether the Mayor intends to accept these funds or if he will choose to donate the entirety of the allowance to charity.
Starmer’s final honours list and the Burnham transition
Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation honours list includes a total of 25 new peers drawn from across the political spectrum. The Labour Party holds the largest share of these appointments, with 15 new peers announced, while the Liberal Democrats were granted five nominations. The Conservatives also secured three spots, including former army chief General Patrick Sanders and Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross.. This significant political reshuffle occurs at a moment of transition, as Andy Burnham prepares to assume the role of Prime Minister on Monday. Notably, the outgoing Prime Minister made no nominations for the Reform party.
Will Sadiq Khan accept a ministerial role under Burnham?
The political trajectory of Sadiq Khan following his appointment remains a subject of intense speculation . While a seat in the House of Lords often serves as a prerequisite for serving as a government minister, it is understood that Khan would not accept a ministerial position under the incoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. Furthermore, the source notes that it has not been made clear how the incoming administration will view the controversial appointments made by the outgoing leadership . There is also the question of how long Khan will remain in his current role, as he is not expected to step down as Mayor until his third term concludes in 2028.
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