Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London since 2016, was sworn into the House of Lords on Tuesday alongside other appointees including former Labour leader Neil Kinnock and human rights lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy. In a sharp reversal from his previous stance, Khan accepted a peerage despite having called for the abolition of the House of Lords in 2022. He expressed gratitude for his new role while reaffirming his commitment to public service and improving London's quality of life.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-16,
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Leaning score withheld for article 9962: no verified evidence · logged 2026-09-16
The Mayor of London, now in his third term at City Hall, was sworn into the House of Lords on Tuesday afternoon.
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Mayor → swear → afternoon
He was accompanied by former Labour leader Lord Kinnock and human rights lawyer, Baroness Helena Kennedy of the Shaws.
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He → accompany → Shaws
During his swearing-in, Lord Khan of Tooting vowed: “I Sadiq, Lord Khan of Tooting, do swear by almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty, King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God.”
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I → vow → me
Lord Khan embraced leader of the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon, her deputy Lord Collins of Highbury, and former Eastenders actor Lord Cashman as he left the chamber.
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he → embrace → chamber
Speaking ahead of his elevation to the Lords, he said: “This country and our capital city gave me the opportunity to go from a council estate to being Mayor of London, and I’m truly honoured to be given a peerage.
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I → speak → peerage
“I’ve always been motivated by public service, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far since I’ve been Mayor – from delivering free school meals for all state primary school pupils to cleaning London’s air, improving public transport, and providing opportunities for young people
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I → motivate → people
“My focus will continue to be on ensuring that all Londoners get the same shot at reaching their full potential that London gave to me and my family.
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London → continue → me
“This means banging the drum for London as the greatest city in the world and continuing to work tirelessly to build a fairer, safer, greener and more prosperous city for everyone.”
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This → mean → everyone
Lord Khan was one of 26 people given peerages when Sir Keir Starmer left No 10 in July, with the outgoing prime minister describing him as a “brilliant mayor who has transformed London for the better” and saying he was thoroughly deserving of the honour.
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he → give → honour
London Labour MPs were quick to congratulate the mayor, describing him as a “dedicated public servant” who had shown an “unwavering commitment” to the capital.
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who → congratulate → capital
“He has cut violent crime to record lows, cleaned up the capital’s air, delivered the Elizabeth Line and got London building council homes again,” Sir Keir said in backing the mayor.
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Keir → cut → mayor
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Ms Cunningham wrote on X: “Sadiq Khan wanted the House of Lords abolished.
“Now he’ll happily take a seat there as Lord Khan.
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he → read → Khan
What changed?
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What → change → ?
And will you now resign?”.
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you → resign → ?
During a fiery exchange at London City Hall with Conservative Assembly Member Shaun Bailey in 2022, Lord Khan explicitly said Mr Bailey’s appointment to the second chamber was “proof, if it was ever needed, that we should abolish the House of Lords”.
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we → say → Lords
Now, four years on, he has taken his own seat in the upper chamber.
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he → take → chamber
Lord Khan has served as Mayor of London since 2016, winning three consecutive elections and broadening his support beyond Labour’s traditional base.
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Khan → serve → base
The capital’s first Muslim mayor has led London through the Covid pandemic, terrorist attacks and the climate emergency, while frequently facing criticism from Donald Trump.
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mayor → lead → Trump
Lord Khan, who was knighted last year, would not be the first regional mayor to combine the role with membership of the House of Lords, and there is nothing to prevent him from doing so.
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who → knight → him
While sources close to the mayor suggest his team is actively preparing for a potential campaign, Lord Khan himself has yet to make a firm commitment.
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Khan → suggest → commitment
Several candidates have already thrown their hats into the ring for the 2028 London mayoral election, including Reform UK’s Laila Cunningham and former Home and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly MP, who resigned from the shadow cabinet to focus on his mayoral bid.
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who → throw → bid
Dawn Butler and David Lammy are the leading Labour MPs preparing or rumoured to run for Mayor of London in 2028 if Sadiq decides not to seek a fourth term.
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Sadiq → lead → term
The Aporia
