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Labour is set to reveal its new deputy chief this Saturday, with surveys suggesting the Manchester Central MP leading Bridget Phillipson as balloting ended on the previous Thursday.

Today's Schedule of Events

Below is the political schedule for today, according to the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in central London. Speeches are anticipated afterwards from the winner and the PM.
• 1pm: Protesters from opposing groups are expected to descend on different sides of London after authorities prohibited Ukip activists from assembling in Whitechapel due to concerns of public unrest.
• Today: Vote counting begins to determine the next president of Ireland.

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

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Positions

During the campaign, Powell frequently mentioned mistakes made by the party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she appeared to criticise a command and control approach within government, stating that blindly following along was a dereliction of responsibility.

If Powell does emerge victorious, 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 week, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a loss in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have sparked questions among MPs about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she wants 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, Bridget Phillipson, seen as Number 10's favored choice, has highlighted unity, cautioning that voting for her opponent would result in internal debate and divisions that could lead the Labour back to being in opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade savers to switch to shares but could increase mortgage costs, MPs have warned the finance minister.
• A wipeout for Labour in next May’s council elections could signal the termination of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have said, after the Labour suffered a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician provided a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a controversy over the collapse of a legal case against two British men alleged of espionage for China.

The outcome of the deputy leadership election is scheduled to be announced at 10am BST.