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Labour is ready to declare its new deputy chief this Saturday, with polls suggesting Lucy Powell in front of Bridget Phillipson as balloting concluded on the previous Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Below is the political schedule for Saturday, based on the news schedule:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in central London. Addresses are expected afterwards from the victor and the PM.
• 1pm: Protesters from rival factions are expected to gather in separate areas of the capital after authorities banned Ukip activists from gathering in an East London area due to concerns of public unrest.
• Today: Vote counting starts to reveal the next president of the Irish Republic.

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

Election Highlights and Candidate Positions

During the campaign, Powell frequently mentioned errors 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 the administration, stating that unquestioning compliance was a failure of duty.

Should Powell does emerge victorious, the outcome is likely to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's leadership from Labour members.

The prime minister has recently endured a challenging week, marked by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

Labour’s struggles in the opinion polls have led to questions among MPs about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she aims to help Keir and our government to succeed but also informed followers the party must change how it functions to improve the situation.

In contrast, Phillipson, seen as Number 10's favored choice, has highlighted unity, warning that choosing her opponent would result in party disputes and divisions that could return the party back to being in opposition.

Other Political Headlines

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade savers to switch to shares but could push up mortgage costs, MPs have cautioned the chancellor.
• A wipeout for Labour in next May’s local elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, MPs have said, after the party experienced a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP sent a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser 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 leadership election is expected to be announced at 10am BST.