Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing a resignation honours list, despite having previously pledged not to issue such a list if he became prime minister. The former Labour leader is said to have sought advice from close allies about potential recipients of peerages and other honours, marking a notable reversal from his public stance three years ago.

The tradition of a departing prime minister compiling a resignation honours list, often rewarding political allies, senior aides, and supportive parliamentarians, dates back to the 19th century. While customary, such lists have occasionally sparked controversy. In June 2023, while serving as leader of the opposition, Starmer criticized the resignation honours list issued by former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson and stated on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he would not follow that path. He said, “No. There are other opportunities,” and cited Tony Blair’s decision not to publish a resignation list as an example. “It’s very hard to justify,” he added at the time.

However, current reports indicate that Starmer is now in the process of drafting such a list, with several figures within the Labour government anticipating its submission to Downing Street. Although the list has not yet been formally submitted, a Cabinet Office source confirmed there is still time for Starmer to reconsider.

While no names have been publicly disclosed, precedent suggests that high-ranking party officials and senior aides may be among the candidates. General secretaries of the Labour Party are traditionally elevated to the House of Lords. Hollie Ridley, who was supported by Starmer when she became general secretary and recently stepped down after Andy Burnham’s election as Labour leader, has drawn attention amid speculation. Starmer attended Ridley’s recent farewell event. Chiefs of staff who served during Starmer’s premiership, including Baroness Gray, Morgan McSweeney, and Vidhya Alakeson, are also potential recipients, reflecting common practice in previous resignation honours lists.

There is no fixed deadline for submitting such lists. For context, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak waited nine months after the Conservative Party’s defeat in July 2024 to unveil his own resignation honours.

The move to issue honours would mark Starmer’s second notable policy reversal since leaving office, following his decision to resign as an MP despite earlier assurances that he would remain in Parliament. It also risks stirring controversy within Labour, as neither Gordon Brown nor Tony Blair issued resignation honours lists.

Conservative shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Alex Burghart, criticized Starmer for the apparent change, saying, “Resigning as an MP having said he wouldn’t was bad enough but awarding resignation honours — after previously saying he never would — is ever more Labour hypocrisy.”

A spokesman for Starmer declined to comment on the reports.