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The Labour Party is ready to reveal its new deputy leader this Saturday, with surveys pointing to Lucy Powell leading Bridget Phillipson as voting closed on Thursday.

Today's Schedule of Events

Presented is the political agenda for Saturday, based on the news schedule:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief will be announced in London. Speeches are anticipated afterwards from the winner and the PM.
• 1pm: Protesters from rival factions are likely to descend on different sides of the capital after police prohibited Ukip supporters from gathering in Whitechapel due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Today: Vote counting starts to reveal the next president of the Irish Republic.

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

Election Highlights and Candidate Stances

During the campaign, Lucy Powell frequently referred to errors made by the party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to backers, she appeared to criticise a top-down culture within government, arguing that blindly following along was a failure of duty.

If Powell wins, the result is likely to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's governance from Labour members.

The prime minister has already faced a difficult period, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

The party's difficulties in the polls have led to doubts among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she aims to help Keir and our government to prosper but also told supporters the Labour must change how it operates to improve the situation.

In contrast, Phillipson, seen as Number 10's preferred candidate, has highlighted unity, cautioning that choosing her opponent would result in internal debate and divisions that could lead the party back to opposition.

Other Political Headlines

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade savers to invest in stocks but could increase mortgage costs, MPs have cautioned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in next May’s local elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, MPs have stated, after the party experienced a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the security official implicated in a dispute 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 declared at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.