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The Labour Party is poised to reveal its fresh deputy chief today, with polling data pointing to Lucy Powell leading the education secretary as voting closed on Thursday.

Today's Schedule of Events

Presented is the political timeline for Saturday, according to the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief will be announced in central London. Addresses are expected afterwards from the winner and the PM.
• 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 begins to reveal the next president of Ireland.

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

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Stances

During the campaign, Powell frequently mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she seemed to question a top-down approach within government, arguing that blindly following along was a dereliction of duty.

If Powell does emerge victorious, the outcome is likely 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 defeat in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

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

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

In contrast, Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has stressed cohesion, cautioning that choosing her rival would result in internal debate and splits that could lead the Labour back to opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not persuade savers to invest in stocks but could push up mortgage costs, lawmakers have warned the chancellor.
• A wipeout for Labour in next May’s local elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, MPs have said, after the Labour suffered a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the only politician provided a witness statement by the security official implicated in a dispute over the dismissal 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 10:00 AM British Summer Time.