The Prime Minister is preparing to offer Sir Sadiq Khan a peerage after the London elections, Labour sources say.
Sir Keir Starmer is also expected to offer the London mayor a cabinet role following the May 7 vote, a source familiar with the matter told the Financial Times.
The move would likely come under some scrutiny after Sir Keir had previously pledged to abolish the peerage system.
Downing Street officials said the appointment would “shore up his position with patronage” at what is expected to be a moment of maximum danger after the local elections, said the person familiar with the discussions.
One Government figure said the proposal to draw Sir Sadiq “inside the tent” would “solve a lot of problems” after Labour is expected to suffer losses in the capital to Zack Polanski’s Green Party and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK
However, an ally of the London Mayor told the FT Sir Sadiq “is completely focused on the job of delivering for Londoners”, adding that peerages were a matter for the Government.
A Downing Street spokesman was quick to downplay the rumours, telling the FT: “This is speculation.” The mayor’s office declined to comment.
Sir Sadiq has left the door open for a fourth term as London Mayor, having “already worked out” his campaign for the next contest for City Hall in 2028.
In February, he 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.”
A spokesman for the Mayor said: “Sadiq has not yet announced whether he is standing again for Mayor. This is the same as previous elections, where he announced his decision much later in the electoral cycle”.
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Armed Forces Minister issues dire warning over geopolitical landscape
Armed forces minister Al Carns has warned that the geopolitical landscape is “more fractious and dangerous” than at any point during his 24 years in the military.
The former Royal Marine said that the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Iran had increased the chances of a “geographical constrained conflict in the next three to five years.”
The Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak told the BBC: “I think we’re moving into, and I’ve been on the record in saying this previously, that the chances of a geographical constrained conflict in the next three to five years are probably higher than in my whole 24 years in the military.
“The world geopolitically is exceptionally fragile. We’ve now seen this war break out in the Middle East and involve 10 different countries with Iran striking city centres, ports, airports, and indeed countries far flung around the Middle East.
“We’ve also got this major conflict in Ukraine. So I would say that it’s probably more fractious and dangerous than it has been in my entire military life.”
Northern Labour MP mocked by tutors at Oxford and offered cups of gravy because of Yorkshire accent
Luke Charters reflects on being mocked for his accent through his life | GB NEWS
A state-school-educated Labour MP from the north of England has told how he toned down his broad Yorkshire accent, was mocked by tutors at Oxford University and offered cups of gravy by other students.
Luke Charters, who had a successful career at the Bank of England before entering Parliament in 2024 as MP for York Outer, said he had been forced to water down his accent at Mansfield College because of the mockery it attracted.
WATCH THE FULL EPISODE OF CHOPPER’S POLITICAL PODCAST HERE.
Angela Rayner ‘to launch her own podcast in all-new tilt to oust Keir Starmer’
Angela Rayner is set to launch the podcast
| PA
Angela Rayner is set to launch a podcast in an attempt to broaden her appeal for a potential Labour leadership contest, according to reports.
In the pilot episode of the podcast, named Beyond the Bubble, Ms Rayner will interview former minister Lord Gove.
Both Lord Gove and Ms Rayner have served as Housing Secretaries – and the episode will have a focus on housing policy.
They may also be able to bond over how they backed laws to give leaseholders and renters more rights while in office.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.