Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed London Mayor Sadiq Khan to the House of Lords, creating 26 new peers just days before leaving office. Khan, who has served as London's mayor since 2016, receives the peerage honour as part of what Downing Street described as a routine honours process rather than a departure-related appointment.
The timing of Khan's elevation raises questions about the customary practice of outgoing prime ministers creating final appointments before their successors take power. Starmer's creation of 26 new peers represents a substantial batch of appointments in his final days in No. 10, a pattern that has drawn scrutiny in previous transitions of power. The Khan appointment specifically reflects his decade-long tenure managing Britain's capital city and establishes him as a permanent member of the upper chamber.
Khan's move to the Lords represents a significant shift in his political trajectory. As London mayor, he has wielded considerable influence over the capital's policies, housing development, and transport infrastructure. His peerage now grants him a platform in Parliament beyond his mayoral role, though it remains unclear whether he will step down as mayor or maintain both positions.
Separately, the government announced a consultation on reforming wedding laws in England and Wales. The proposals would allow couples to marry in forests, on beaches, at sea, or in gardens rather than requiring traditional venues. The consultation aims to reduce wedding costs, with the average ceremony currently exceeding £20,000. The reforms would also eliminate the need for couples from different faiths to conduct two separate ceremonies, streamlining religious and civil marriage requirements.
These moves come during Starmer's final period as prime minister before Labour prepares for the transition ahead. The peer appointments and wedding law consultation highlight the government's attempts to address both honours conventions and practical cost-of-living pressures affecting citizens.