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Labour is ready to announce its new deputy chief today, with polling data pointing to the Manchester Central MP in front of the education secretary as balloting ended on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Below is the politics timeline for Saturday, according to the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in London. Addresses are anticipated afterwards from the victor and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from opposing groups are likely to gather in different sides of the capital after authorities prohibited Ukip supporters from gathering in Whitechapel due to fears of serious disorder.
• Saturday: Counting starts to reveal the new head of state of Ireland.

Meanwhile, Epping Forest MP Conservative MP Neil Hudson is conducting the morning media rounds for the Conservatives.

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Positions

During the campaign, Lucy Powell often mentioned errors made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to backers, she seemed to question a top-down culture within government, stating that unquestioning compliance was a failure of duty.

If Powell wins, 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 period, marked by a dispute over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

Labour’s struggles in the polls have sparked doubts among MPs about the leader's position.

Powell has stressed that she wants to help Keir and our government to succeed but also informed followers the party needs to adapt how it functions to improve the situation.

Meanwhile, Phillipson, regarded as Number 10's preferred candidate, has highlighted cohesion, cautioning that choosing her opponent would result in internal debate and splits that could lead the party back to being in opposition.

Other Political Headlines

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not persuade savers to invest in stocks but could push up mortgage costs, MPs have cautioned the chancellor.
• A wipeout for Labour in the upcoming council elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have stated, after the Labour experienced a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the only politician provided a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser involved in a dispute over the collapse of a legal case against two UK nationals alleged of espionage for China.

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