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The Labour Party is ready to declare its fresh deputy chief this Saturday, with polls indicating Lucy Powell in front of Bridget Phillipson as voting ended on the previous Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Presented is the politics schedule for today, as per the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief will be announced in central London. Addresses are expected following the announcement from the victor and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from rival factions are expected to descend on separate areas of London after police banned Ukip activists from gathering in an East London area due to fears of serious disorder.
• Today: Vote counting begins to determine the next president of the Irish Republic.

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

Campaign Key Points and Candidate Positions

During the election race, Powell frequently mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a closing statement to supporters, she seemed to question a command and control culture within the administration, stating that unquestioning compliance was a failure of duty.

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

The prime minister has recently faced a difficult week, marked by a dispute 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 questions among MPs about Starmer’s leadership.

Powell has emphasized that she aims to support the PM and administration to prosper but also informed supporters the Labour must change how it operates to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Phillipson, regarded as Number 10's preferred candidate, has stressed unity, cautioning that voting for her rival would result in internal debate and splits that could lead the party back to opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not encourage investors to switch to shares but could push up home loan rates, MPs have cautioned the chancellor.
• A wipeout for Labour in next May’s local elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, MPs have said, after the Labour suffered a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the only politician provided a witness statement by the security official involved in a controversy over the collapse of a case against two British men accused of espionage for China.

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