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Elections on 2 May

Elections for the next Mayor of London and London Assembly members, as well as the by-election for Hillrise ward, will take place on Thursday 2 May.

You must now show photo ID when you vote at polling stations. See a full list of accepted forms of ID. You can also apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate in place of photo ID. The deadline to apply for this is 5pm, Wednesday 24 April.

Two people

Leader of the Council Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz

Find out more about Councillor Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Leader of Islington Council

Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz

Kaya is a Labour councillor for Junction ward. All councillors hold regular advice surgeries for residents - but these are currently suspended because of coronavirus. For more information about how to contact Kaya please visit the Leader's page on our Democracy website.

Leader's role

The Leader of the Council is elected for four years and provides political leadership and works together with Executive Members to set out a vision for Islington and the strategic plans that will help the Council to achieve it. 

Within the role, the Leader has specific duties including:

Political leadership: chairing the Executive and sharing collective responsibility for Executive decisions; acting as the principal political spokesperson for the Council; supporting, developing and managing members of the Executive.

Corporate leadership: giving political direction to the Chief Executive, Directors and other officers; providing political leadership to the development and implementation of the Council’s Corporate Plan and Budget; working with officers to formulate and implement policy proposals.

Partnership and community leadership: acting as an advocate for the local community and a spokesperson for residents; promoting Council priorities; building cross-borough links that progress the Council’s objectives; representing the Council and contributing to London-wide, national and international bodies/forums to promote Islington’s interests.

Reporting and accountability: reporting to full Council, Executive, scrutiny, regulatory bodies and stakeholders as appropriate.

Governance, ethical standards and relationships: promoting and supporting good governance of the Council, open and transparent government, respectful and effective relationships with officers, and adhering to the code of conduct.

About Kaya

First elected to the council in 2013 to represent Junction ward, Cllr Comer-Schwartz became Deputy Leader in 2020. She has served on the council’s Executive for six years, most recently as Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families and prior to that as Executive Member for Community Development.

Before joining the council’s Executive, Cllr Comer-Schwartz worked in the charity sector, including roles at Centre for Mental Health, Shelter and The Women’s Library.

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