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The Labour Party is ready to reveal its new deputy chief today, with surveys pointing to Lucy Powell in front of Bridget Phillipson as voting ended on Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

Presented is the political timeline for Saturday, based on the news schedule:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in London. Addresses are expected following the announcement from the victor and the PM.
• 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from opposing groups are expected to gather in separate areas of London after authorities prohibited Ukip activists from gathering in Whitechapel due to fears of serious disorder.
• Saturday: Vote counting starts to reveal the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

Meanwhile, the Epping Forest MP Neil Hudson is conducting the media interviews for the Tory party.

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Positions

Throughout the campaign, Lucy Powell frequently referred to errors made by the party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to backers, she appeared to criticise a top-down culture within government, arguing that unquestioning compliance was a dereliction of responsibility.

If Powell wins, the outcome is expected to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's governance from party members.

The prime minister has already faced a difficult period, marked by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a loss in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

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

Lucy Powell has stressed that she aims to help Keir and our government to prosper but also informed followers the Labour needs to adapt how it functions to improve the situation.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, seen as Number 10's favored choice, has stressed unity, warning that voting for her rival would result in internal debate and divisions that could lead the Labour back to opposition.

Other News Highlights

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade investors to switch to shares but could increase mortgage costs, MPs have warned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in the upcoming local elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have said, after the Labour experienced a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP sent a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser involved in a dispute over the collapse of a case against two British men accused of espionage for China.

The result of the deputy leader contest is scheduled to be announced at 10am BST.