Mayor of London hails Keir Starmer and calls for capital investment to boost the nation

Sadiq Khan paid tribute to Keir Starmer's integrity and contributions, and he urged the incoming Labour leader to prioritise investment in London so the capital can drive growth across Britain.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan offered warm praise for Sir Keir Starmer while urging the next head of government from the Labour Party to make targeted investments in the capital. Khan described Starmer as “a man of great integrity” and highlighted his long association with him, dating back to their early careers as lawyers.

At the same time, the mayor emphasised that London must play a central role in national economic recovery.

In a message that blended personal tribute with political direction, Khan stressed the importance of harnessing the capital’s potential to lift living standards for people across Britain.

His remarks came amid leadership change, with Sir Keir announcing he would step down and Mr Burnham expected to begin forming a Cabinet and outline policy priorities.

Tribute to Sir Keir Starmer

Sir Sadiq reflected on a professional and personal relationship that spans more than three decades.

He called Sir Keir “a man of great integrity” and praised the former Crown Prosecution Service chief for the “huge contribution” he has made to the Labour Party and the country. Khan noted that Sir Keir is only the fifth Labour leader to win a general election, a milestone Khan said enabled tangible progress during his time in office.

Personal history and public service

Khan recalled their shared background as young lawyers and praised Sir Keir’s long record of public service. The mayor framed this tribute not simply as admiration but as recognition of the role Starmer played in steering the party and government. He also referenced the ongoing parliamentary term, observing that “we still have more than half of this parliamentary term left, with a huge mandate,” and that the party must respond to voters’ impatience for promised change.

Why London matters to the national agenda

Beyond the personal commendation, Khan made a pointed policy appeal: the next Labour leader must “invest in every part of the country,” and that explicitly includes London. He argued that the capital is “central to delivering for the rest of the country” and that its strengths should be used to drive national economic performance and improve living standards. The mayor framed this as a practical strategy to ensure benefits reach both Londoners and communities elsewhere in Britain.

Investment as a lever for economic and social gains

Khan urged that public resources and strategic decisions focus on unlocking the capital’s potential so it can act as a catalyst for wider growth. He emphasised that using London’s economic engine could boost productivity and living standards across regions, not just within the city itself. This appeal links local priorities—jobs, infrastructure, services—with national ambitions to raise prosperity for all citizens.

Political transition and recent developments

The context for Khan’s remarks is a period of leadership change. Sir Keir announced his resignation and reflected on whether he remained best placed to lead the party into the next election. Khan acknowledged that the parliamentary party had expressed a clear view and that Sir Keir accepted that outcome “with good grace.” Meanwhile, Mr Burnham is expected to begin forming a Cabinet and to set out broad policy directions as the new leader assumes responsibilities.

Royal and institutional notes

On the day of these developments, the King telephoned Sir Keir while at his Gloucestershire residence, Highgrove, a call confirmed by Buckingham Palace. Such contact reflects the formal steps that accompany a change in government leadership and underlines the institutional dimension of the transition.

Through his statements, Sir Sadiq Khan combined gratitude for a long-standing colleague with an explicit policy message: the next Labour leader should prioritise strategic investment in London as a means of delivering benefits across Britain. His words linked personal tribute, party politics and economic strategy in a concise appeal to those who will shape the government’s next phase.