Keir Starmer Grants Peerages to 26 Before Resigning

Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer nominated 26 individuals for life peerages in the House of Lords in one of his final acts before resigning from 10 Downing Street. The cross-party list includes 16 Labour nominees, five Liberal Democrats, three Conservatives, and two cross-bench members. Notable appointees include London Mayor Sadiq Khan, former General Sir Patrick Sanders, and retired judge Sir Brian Leveson.

The elevation of Sadiq Khan sparked a political row. While government sources praised Khan's record on crime and infrastructure, critics including Reform UK's Laila Cunningham and Conservative Shadow Minister Gareth Bacon condemned the move. They cited Khan's previous calls to abolish the House of Lords as hypocritical and described the peerage as a reward for a record of failure regarding London's housing and taxation.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticized the list for excluding his party, claiming the appointments make the upper house even more unrepresentative. The Electoral Reform Society added that the move contradicts Labour's previous pledges to reform the unelected chamber.

These appointments precede the transition of power to Andy Burnham, who was confirmed as the new Labour leader on Friday and is set to become Prime Minister on Monday. Burnham intends to focus on economic renewal and a devolution agenda, including the creation of a No 10 North outpost in Manchester. Sadiq Khan has reportedly indicated he does not seek a ministerial role in the incoming administration.