Sir Sadiq Khan was one of 26 people given peerages as Sir Keir Starmer was departing from No10.
The Mayor of London will take his seat in the Lords in his third term in City Hall.
A recent poll suggested he would win a fourth term if he decides to stand for re-election.
He has signalled that he is likely to make a decision next year whether to seek another four years in City Hall in the 2028 contest.
However his peerage sparked an immediate political row, with opinions deeply divided over his record as mayor.
So what are people saying about Sir Sadiq being elevated to the Upper Chamber?
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir gave the Mayor total backing, with a Government source saying: “Sadiq has been a brilliant mayor who has transformed London for the better, so this is thoroughly deserved.
“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.”
Labour MPs queued up to praise Sir Sadiq, with his successor as MP for Tooting, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan posting on X: “Huge congratulations to @SadiqKhan on his well-deserved peerage.
“From growing up on the Henry Prince Estate to leading our capital city and now a member of the Lords - he's a dedicated public servant.”
Stratford and Bow Labour MP Uma Kumaran messaged: “ A brilliant appointment to the House of Lords.
“Having worked closely with Sadiq over the course of a decade, I’ve had the privilege of seeing first-hand his unwavering commitment to London, his determination to help our city and all who call it home thrive.
“Sadiq’s story is the embodiment of the dream of London, the promise of what’s possible in the best city in the world.”
Peckham Labour MP Miatta Fahnbulleh stressed: “Wonderful news - delighted for @sadiqkhan, who has dedicated his life to standing up for Londoners & making our city fairer, safer, and greener for all.”
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green Labour MP Florence Eshalomi posted: “South London stand up - so pleased to see this news. @sadiqkhan's record as Mayor speaks for itself - a whole generation of young people growing up with cleaner air, free school meals and more opportunities at their finger tips.”
Ilford South Labour MP Jas Athwal posted: “This honour is a fitting recognition of his years of selfless service to our city. Congratulations, Lord Sadiq Khan.”
But Reform UK’s London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham stressed on X: “Sadiq Khan wanted the House of Lords abolished.
“Now he’ll happily take a seat there as Lord Khan. What changed? Your principles, or your title? Isn’t being Mayor of London enough of a title for you? And will you now resign?”
Shadow London minister Gareth Bacon, MP for Orpington, said: "Sadiq Khan has been a disastrous Mayor of London. Under his watch, housebuilding has collapsed to levels not seen since the Second World War.”
Mr Bacon added: "He has almost doubled his share of Council tax, he hammered motorists with ULEZ expansion and repeated Congestion Charge increases, all the while allowing Londoners to endure hundreds of days of TfL strikes.
"Rewarding this record of abysmal failure will come as slap in the face to every Londoner and it speaks volumes about a Labour Party that rewards cronyism. Sadiq Khan has done nothing to earn a place in the Lords."
Sadiq Khan wanted the House of Lords abolished.
— Laila Cunningham (@policylaila) July 16, 2026
Now he’ll happily take a seat there as Lord Khan.
What changed? Your principles, or your title? Isn’t being Mayor of London enough of a title for you? And will you now resign? https://t.co/Ju2Calm99D pic.twitter.com/gDiYD9oGIQ
Westminister Tory councillor Festus Akinbusoye asked: ”Why exactly is Sadiq Khan getting a peerage? Housing starts DOWN 84% since 2015...Fewer police officers now than when he came into office.... Expanded ULEZ across all of London, punishing workers and businesses.”
Commentators on social media have also criticised Sir Sadiq for accepting a peerage after previously saying he wanted to abolish the House of Lords, with one Reform UK supporter calling it: Peak Westminster hypocrisy.”
On his peerage, Sir Sadiq told of the “honour” of going to the Lords.
“London gave Sadiq the opportunities to go from a council estate to being Mayor of London, and his focus will continue to be ensuring that all Londoners get the same shot at reaching their full potential that London gave him and his family,” said a spokesman for the Mayor.
“Serving as Mayor of the greatest city in the world continues to be the privilege of Sadiq’s life.
“He is excited about what more can be delivered in the years ahead and he will devote his time and energy to standing up for our city and building a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone.”
