The Labour Party's New Deputy Chief to Be Declared Today

The Labour Party is set to announce its new deputy chief today, with surveys suggesting Lucy Powell ahead of the education secretary as balloting closed on Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

Here is the political agenda for Saturday, according to the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in London. Speeches are anticipated following the announcement from the victor and the PM.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from opposing groups are expected to gather in separate areas of London after police banned Ukip supporters from gathering in an East London area due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Today: Counting starts to determine the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

Additionally, Epping Forest MP Conservative MP Neil Hudson is conducting the morning media rounds for the Tory party.

Election Highlights and Contender Positions

Throughout the campaign, Powell often mentioned errors made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to backers, she appeared to criticise a top-down approach within government, stating that blindly following along was a failure of duty.

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

Keir Starmer has already faced a difficult week, marked by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

Labour’s struggles in the opinion polls have sparked doubts among MPs about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has emphasized that she wants to help Keir and our government to prosper but also told followers the party must change how it functions to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's favored choice, has stressed cohesion, cautioning that voting for her rival would result in internal debate and splits that could lead the party back to opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade investors to switch to shares but could increase home loan rates, MPs have warned the chancellor.
• A wipeout for Labour in the upcoming local elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have said, after the party experienced a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician provided a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a controversy over the dismissal of a case against two UK nationals alleged of spying for China.

The outcome of the deputy leader contest is expected to be announced at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.