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Labour is poised to reveal its new deputy leader this Saturday, with polling data suggesting Lucy Powell in front of Bridget Phillipson as voting ended on the previous Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Presented is the political timeline for today, based on the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in London. Speeches are anticipated afterwards from the victor and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from rival factions are likely to gather in separate areas of London after police banned Ukip supporters from assembling in an East London area due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Today: Counting begins to determine the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

Meanwhile, the Epping Forest MP Conservative MP Neil Hudson is conducting the media interviews for the Conservatives.

Campaign Highlights and Contender Stances

During the election race, Powell often referred to errors made by the party on matters such as the winter heating payments. In a closing statement to supporters, she seemed to question a top-down approach within government, arguing that unquestioning compliance was a failure of duty.

If Powell does emerge victorious, the outcome is expected to be seen as a rebuke to Keir Starmer's leadership from Labour members.

Keir Starmer has already endured a difficult period, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have sparked doubts among backbenchers about the leader's position.

Powell has emphasized that she wants to support the PM and administration to succeed but also informed followers the party needs to adapt how it operates to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's favored choice, has stressed cohesion, cautioning that choosing her rival would result in party disputes and splits that could return the Labour back to being in opposition.

Other News Highlights

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not encourage savers to switch to shares but could increase mortgage costs, MPs have cautioned the chancellor.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in next May’s council elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have said, after the party suffered a significant loss in Wales.
• The former prime minister was the only politician provided a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a controversy over the dismissal of a legal case against two UK nationals accused of espionage for China.

The result of the deputy leader contest is scheduled to be announced at 10am BST.