London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been appointed to the House of Lords by outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, joining 25 other new members of Parliament’s upper chamber ahead of the country’s change in leadership.
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The appointments were confirmed on Thursday, just days before Starmer is scheduled to hand over office to Andy Burnham on Monday. The newly appointed peers come from a range of political backgrounds and professional fields and will participate in reviewing and scrutinising legislation proposed by the elected House of Commons.
The House of Lords serves as the upper chamber of the UK Parliament, where members examine, revise and debate legislation before it becomes law. Although it cannot usually block legislation permanently, it plays an important role in improving bills and holding the government to account.
Despite his new parliamentary role, Khan will continue serving as the elected Mayor of London. His appointment means he can now take part in legislative debates and committee work in the upper chamber while retaining his mayoral responsibilities.
The move has also fuelled speculation that the incoming prime minister could assign Khan a ministerial position when the new government is announced next week. However, no official confirmation has been made regarding any cabinet or ministerial role.
Khan has served as Mayor of London since 2016 and remains one of the most prominent figures in British politics. His appointment to the House of Lords adds another high-profile role to his political career while allowing him to continue representing London’s interests.
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The latest list of appointments reflects the traditional practice of outgoing prime ministers recommending individuals for membership in the House of Lords before leaving office. The new peers are expected to begin participating in parliamentary proceedings after completing the formal appointment process.