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The Labour Party is poised to announce its new deputy chief this Saturday, with surveys pointing to Lucy Powell in front of Bridget Phillipson as balloting closed on Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

Below is the politics schedule for today, based on the news schedule:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief will be announced in central London. Addresses are anticipated afterwards from the victor and the prime minister.
• 1pm: Protesters from opposing groups are likely to gather in different sides of London after police prohibited Ukip activists from assembling in an East London area due to concerns of public unrest.
• Today: Vote counting starts to determine the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

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

Election Key Points and Candidate Positions

Throughout the election race, Lucy Powell frequently mentioned errors made by the Labour Party on matters such as the winter fuel allowance. In a closing statement to backers, she seemed to question a top-down culture within government, stating that unquestioning compliance was a dereliction of responsibility.

If Powell does emerge victorious, the outcome is likely to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's governance from party members.

The prime minister has already faced a difficult week, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

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

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

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

Additional News Highlights

• Cutting the cash Isa limit may not persuade savers to switch to shares but could increase home loan rates, MPs have cautioned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in next May’s local elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, MPs have said, after the party experienced a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP sent a testimonial by the security official implicated in a dispute over the dismissal of a case against two British men accused of spying for China.

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