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Labour is set to announce its new deputy chief this Saturday, with surveys suggesting Lucy Powell ahead of Bridget Phillipson as voting closed on the previous Thursday.

The Day's Schedule of Events

Presented is the politics timeline for today, according to the news schedule:

• 10:00 AM: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in central London. Speeches are anticipated afterwards from the winner and the PM.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from opposing groups are likely to descend on different sides of the capital after police banned Ukip activists from gathering in Whitechapel due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Saturday: Counting starts to determine the next president of the Irish Republic.

Meanwhile, Epping Forest MP Neil Hudson is on the morning media rounds for the Conservatives.

Campaign Highlights and Contender Positions

Throughout the election race, Lucy Powell often referred to mistakes made by the Labour Party on matters such as the winter heating payments. In a closing statement to supporters, she appeared to criticise a top-down approach within government, arguing that blindly following along was a dereliction of duty.

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

The prime minister has already endured a difficult period, marked by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

Labour’s struggles in the opinion polls have sparked doubts among backbenchers about the leader's position.

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

Meanwhile, Phillipson, regarded as Number 10's favored choice, has highlighted cohesion, cautioning that voting for her opponent would result in party disputes and splits that could lead the party back to being in 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 wipeout for the Labour Party in the upcoming council elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, MPs have stated, after the Labour experienced a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician provided a testimonial by the security official involved in a dispute over the collapse of a legal case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

The outcome of the deputy leadership election is scheduled to be announced at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.