Sadiq Khan granted peerage as Starmer names 26 new Lords in farewell wave

Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, is among 26 new peers appointed to the House of Lords in one of Sir Keir Starmer's final acts as prime minister, bbc.co.uk reported. The appointments mark a last significant move by Starmer before the transition to Andy Burnham's incoming government.

The Labour peerages include 15 nominees, among them broadcaster June Sarpong and former union chief Christina McAnea, according to BBC News. These appointments broaden Labour's representation in the upper chamber.

BBC NewsSadiq Khan among 26 new peers to enter the Lords

The full list of 26 also features five Liberal Democrat peers, three Conservatives, and two cross-bench members, bbc.co.uk noted. This mix of party affiliations suggests an effort to maintain some balance even as the outgoing prime minister shaped the Lords in his final days.

While the peerage would allow Khan to become a government minister, he is reportedly not seeking a role in Andy Burnham's incoming government, bbc.co.uk added. The appointment therefore appears to be a recognition of Khan's mayoral tenure rather than a step toward a national ministerial position.