Starmer 'plans to make Sadiq Khan a Lord' with London Mayor 'to receive life peerage'
The London Mayor could be set to enter the House of Lords according to Westminster insiders
Sadiq Khan looks set to become a Lord - a move that many have suggested is an attempt by Sir Keir Starmer to bring his harshest critics on side.
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Sir Keir plans to appoint the Mayor of London to the House of Lords after May's local elections, according to reports.
Labour faces major losses at the local elections based on current polling.
Suggestions that Sir Sadiq could soon become a life peer come after the mayor was awarded a knighthood last January.
A person familiar with the matter told the Financial Times that conversations had also taken place involving the PM offering Sir Sadiq a cabinet role.
Such a move could form part of the a potential cabinet reset after the local elections.
Read more: Lord Mandelson to hand over personal phone messages for US ambassador appointment files
It is a move that would likely invoke heavy criticism, with an already unpopular Starmer having appointed more peers than any of the previous four prime ministers.
It also follows Sir Keir's previous comments in which he pledged to abolish the peerage system.
The Mayor of London has previously told LBC: "I’ve got the best job in politics. I’m thoroughly enjoying being the Mayor because I can deliver on the London promise that you work hard, you get a helping hand, you can achieve anything.
"I’ve worked really hard to make the city fairer, greener, safer, more prosperous and healthy. As long as I can deliver, I will carry on doing so."
In response to the speculation, Downing Street told LBC: "We do not comment on speculation around peerages as a matter of longstanding principle."
One Government figure reportedly suggested the appointment would draw Sir Sadiq "inside the tent" and ultimately "solve a lot of problems" for the PM.
Downing Street officials reportedly see a potential cabinet appointment as a means of aiding the PM and “shoring up his position with patronage”.
It's said that Starmer is attempting to make use of the talent currently within the party.
May's elections, which are set to take place on May 7, are expected to see heavy losses for Labour and the Tories, with the Greens set to make gains based on polling.
It could mark the latest blow for Starmer, after controversy surround Lord Mandelson's appointment following his arrest last month.
Mandelson will be asked to hand over his personal phone as part of the government's publishing of documents related to his appointment as US ambassador.