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The Labour Party is ready to declare its fresh deputy leader today, with surveys pointing to the Manchester Central MP in front of Bridget Phillipson as voting closed on the previous Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Below is the political schedule for Saturday, according to the news schedule:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in London. Speeches are expected afterwards from the victor and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from rival factions are likely to descend on different sides of the capital after police banned Ukip supporters from gathering in an East London area due to fears of public unrest.
• Saturday: Counting begins to determine the new head of state of Ireland.

Additionally, the Epping Forest MP Conservative MP Neil Hudson is on the media interviews for the Tory party.

Campaign Highlights and Contender Stances

During the campaign, Powell often mentioned errors made by the party on matters such as the winter heating payments. In a closing statement to supporters, she appeared to criticise a command and control culture within government, stating that blindly following along was a failure of responsibility.

Should Powell does emerge victorious, the outcome is likely to be seen as a criticism to Keir Starmer's governance from party members.

Keir Starmer has recently faced a challenging week, marked by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a defeat in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

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

Powell has stressed that she aims to support the PM and administration to prosper but also told followers the party must change how it functions to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, seen as Number 10's preferred candidate, has highlighted unity, warning that voting for her rival would result in internal debate and splits that could lead the Labour back to being in opposition.

Other News Highlights

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade investors to switch to shares but could increase home loan rates, MPs have cautioned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in next May’s council elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have stated, after the party experienced a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the only politician sent a witness statement by the security official implicated in a dispute over the collapse of a case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

The result of the deputy leader contest is scheduled to be declared at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.