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Labour is poised to declare its fresh deputy leader today, with polls indicating the Manchester Central MP leading Bridget Phillipson as balloting ended on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

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

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in London. Addresses are expected afterwards from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1pm: Protesters from rival factions are likely to descend on separate areas of the capital after police banned Ukip supporters from gathering in an East London area due to fears of public unrest.
• Saturday: Counting begins to reveal the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

Meanwhile, the Epping Forest MP Conservative MP Neil Hudson is on the media interviews for the Conservatives.

Election Highlights and Contender Stances

Throughout the election race, Powell frequently mentioned mistakes made by the party on matters such as the winter heating payments. In a closing statement to backers, she seemed to question a top-down approach within the administration, stating that unquestioning compliance was a failure of duty.

Should Powell wins, the outcome is likely to be seen as a criticism to Keir Starmer's governance from Labour members.

Keir Starmer has recently endured a challenging period, marked by a dispute over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have led to doubts among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has emphasized that she aims to help Keir and our government to prosper but also told followers the Labour needs to adapt how it operates to turn things around.

In contrast, Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has highlighted cohesion, warning that voting for her opponent would result in party disputes and divisions that could return the party back to being in opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not encourage investors to invest in stocks but could increase mortgage costs, MPs have warned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in the upcoming local elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have stated, after the Labour suffered a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the security official implicated in a dispute over the collapse of a legal case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

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