Kaya Comer-Schwartz

Kaya Comer-Schwartz
Deputy Mayor of London for Policing and Crime
Incumbent
Assumed office
24 October 2024
Preceded bySophie Linden
Leader of Islington Council
In office
May 2021 – 24 October 2024
Preceded byRichard Watts
Succeeded byUna O'Halloran
Member of Islington London Borough Council for Junction
In office
21 March 2013 – 24 October 2024
Preceded byArthur Graves
Personal details
BornApril 1986 (age 40)
Islington, London
PartyLabour Party (UK)
OccupationPolitician

Kaya Comer-Schwartz (born April 1986) is a British politician who is currently Deputy Mayor of London for Policing and Crime. She was previously the Leader of Islington Council and the first black leader of Islington.[1][2][3]

Early life and career

Kaya Comer-Schwartz was born in Islington and is of Zimbabwean and Austrian-Jewish descent.[4][5] She began her career in the charity sector, working with organisations such as the Centre for Mental Health, Shelter, World Jewish Relief, and The Women's Library.[6][7][8]

Islington Council

Comer-Schwartz's entry into politics began when she was elected to represent the Junction ward on the Islington Council at a by-election 2013.[9] She was re-elected in 2014, 2018 and 2022.[10][11][12]

In 2020, she became the first black deputy leader of Islington Council.[2] In her work as deputy leader she focused on welfare improvements for children, young people, and families.[13]

In May 2021, Comer-Schwartz was appointed Leader of Islington Council, becoming the first black woman to hold this position.[14][15] Her leadership occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.[16]

In July 2023, Comer-Schwartz supported Islington Council's recognition of the IRA leader Michael Collins, who lived in Islington in the early 20th century.[17]

The BBC reported that she had been asked to stand against Jeremy Corbyn for the seat of Islington North in the July 2024 United Kingdom general election, but she refused.[18]

Deputy mayor for policing and crime

On 11 October 2024, it was announced that she would resign as council leader to replace Sophie Linden as Deputy Mayor of London for Policing and Crime at City Hall.[19][18]

During her confirmation hearing, Comer-Schwartz was questioned by Susan Hall about a social-media post in which she had described Hall as a "racist". Comer-Schwartz apologised for the language used.[20] She was also questioned about her support for an Islington Council motion opposing the Metropolitan Police's use of live facial recognition, which she confirmed she had supported.[21]

The committee ultimately did not object to her appointment but raised concerns about her ability to scrutinise and hold the Metropolitan Police Service to account.[22] It requested additional training and a formal review of her performance after a year.[21]

In May 2026, Comer-Schwartz refused to approve a proposed £50 million Metropolitan Police contract with Palantir.[23] Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley subsequently warned that blocking the contract would mean the loss of savings equivalent to 500 jobs, with the force later warning that up to 700 jobs could be affected.[24][25]

References

  1. ↑ "Inequality cannot be right, says borough's first black leader". Camden New Journal. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz appointed first black woman Leader of Islington Council". Voice Online. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  3. ↑ "Town Hall leader: 'Racism left me feeling worthless'". Islington Tribune. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  4. ↑ https://www.crouchendchavurah.org/rabbi-sandras-blog/multiple-heritages-by-kaya-comer-schwartz
  5. ↑ "Eddie Nestor, Budget day and Islington in focus, Meet the leader: Islington". BBC. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  6. ↑ Zakir-Hussain, Maryam (9 December 2021). "Black History Makers: 'They said I profited from tokenism' – Kaya Comer-Schwartz". Islington Gazette. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  7. ↑ Lian, Haibei (23 March 2023). "Islington Labour urges government to support low-income households". Islington Now. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  8. ↑ "Council Leader Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz visits Drayton Park School". Parikiaki. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  9. ↑ "Islington North Labour Party". Islington North Labour Party. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  10. ↑ Colombeau, Joseph (September 2014). "London Borough Council Elections: 22 May 2014" (PDF). London Datastore. Greater London Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  11. ↑ Colombeau, Joseph (October 2018). "London Borough Council Elections: 3 May 2018" (PDF). London Datastore. Greater London Authority. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  12. ↑ Heywood, Joe; Loftus, Caitlin (March 2023). "London Borough Council Elections: May 2022" (PDF). London Datastore. Greater London Authority. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  13. ↑ "Islington Council: Leader of the Council Cllr Richard Watts". Islington Council. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  14. ↑ "Councillor details - Councillor Kaya Comer-Schwartz". Democracy in Islington. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  15. ↑ "Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz is appointed Leader of Islington Council". News In Cyprus. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  16. ↑ Bartholomew, Emma (20 May 2021). "Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz takes over as leader of Islington Council". Islington Gazette. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  17. ↑ Audley, Fiona. "Plaque unveiled in London honouring Irish revolutionary Michael Collins". The Irish Post. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  18. 1 2 "Policing deputy mayor named as Kaya Comer-Schwartz". BBC News. 2024-10-11. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  19. ↑ "Council leader to stand down after getting City Hall job offer". Islington Gazette. 2024-10-11. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  20. ↑ "Deputy mayor apologises over tweets calling Susan Hall a racist". BBC News. 2024-10-25. Retrieved 2026-08-28.
  21. 1 2 "Agenda item - Confirmation Hearing in Respect of the Appointment to the Office of Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime". www.london.gov.uk. 2024-10-23. Retrieved 2026-08-28.
  22. ↑ Vickers, Noah (2024-10-24). "Sadiq Khan's new deputy apologises for calling Susan Hall a 'racist'". The Standard. Retrieved 2026-08-28.
  23. ↑ Booth, Robert; editor, Robert Booth UK technology (2026-05-21). "Sadiq Khan sparks row with Met after blocking £50m AI deal with Palantir". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-08-28. {{cite news}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  24. ↑ Jessup, Sonja (2026-06-10). "Met Police faces cuts after mayor blocks Palantir AI tech deal". BBC News. Retrieved 2026-08-28.
  25. ↑ "Palantir plans legal action over London mayor's veto of Met deal". BBC News. 2026-06-11. Retrieved 2026-08-28.
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