Islington Council has appointed its new leader after the previous head left for a job at City Hall.

Labour councillor Una O’Halloran was elected following the resignation of ex-leader Kaya Comer-Schwartz, who left the post to take up the role of deputy mayor for policing and crime last month.

Having won her bid for Islington Labour chief in the first round of voting on November 4, a special council meeting took place on Tuesday night to confirm O’Halloran’s nomination and election as council leader.

“You’ve put a lot of trust in me, but it’s not about me — it’s about all of us. A leader is only as good as her team,” Cllr O’Halloran said.

“It is going to be tough. We have an amazing Labour government and a Labour mayor who has hit the ground running, but we’ve been left a terrible mess from the Tories.

“The Labour Party is about hope, and people need hope. I’m going to speak to every single one of you and see how we can do this together.

“I’m going to be outspoken, but I’m going to work with people.”

She thanked acting leader Cllr Diairmaid Ward while paying tribute to her family and all those who attended the meeting.

O’Halloran joined the council as a Caledonian ward representative in 2014, and has since been responsible for homes and communities and community development, and served as the borough’s ceremonial mayor.

Members from each political group welcomed her leadership.

Fellow Caledonian councillor Sara Hyde (Labour) said: “This beautiful soul has worked so hard since joining the council.

“She’s never shied away from transparency and she tells it like it is. Her grasp of detail gained through her dedication has been second-to-none.

“We are all with you as we seek to tackle poverty, inequality and injustice, and continue to make Islington the best place to live for generations to come,” said Cllr Hyde.

Cllr Saiqa Pandor (Labour) said: “Her ability to connect to the people of Islington is no easy feat, but she manages it with so much grace and respect.”

“She believed in me and my potential, and I will always be thankful for her support.”

The Green group’s deputy leader Cllr Ernestas Jegorovas-Armstrong said: “We have a Labour-run council, a Labour mayor and a Labour government, but Islington residents expects the council to deliver on huge issues—from climate change to the housing crisis—and we wish you all the best in those efforts.”

Cllr Phil Graham, an Islington Independent who left the Labour group in July, said he was “delighted” at the election of a friend he had known since his time as an activist and that she had influenced his becoming a councillor for Bunhill in 2018.

He said: “I hope she’ll be one of our strongest leaders. She’s got a backbone made of solid stuff, and you wouldn’t cross her.”

In her acceptance speech, Cllr O’Halloran announced Cllr Santiago Bell-Bradford (Labour) would be her deputy.

He will remain executive member for inclusive economy, now expanded to include planning.

O’Halloran’s former post as executive member for homes and neighbourhoods will be taken by Cllr John Woolf (Labour).

His successor as community safety chief will be announced at a later date.

All other executive positions remain unchanged.