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Labour is ready to announce its fresh deputy chief today, with polls suggesting the Manchester Central MP in front of the education secretary as balloting closed on the previous Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Here is the political agenda for Saturday, as per the PA news agency:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in London. Addresses are anticipated following the announcement from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from opposing groups are expected to gather in separate areas of London after police prohibited Ukip activists from gathering in Whitechapel due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Saturday: Vote counting starts to reveal the new head of state of Ireland.

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

Election Key Points and Contender Positions

Throughout the election race, Powell frequently mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on matters such as the winter fuel allowance. In a closing statement to supporters, she seemed to question a command and control culture within government, stating that blindly following along was a failure of responsibility.

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

The prime minister has recently endured a difficult period, marked by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

Labour’s struggles in the opinion polls have led to questions among MPs about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she aims to support the PM and administration to succeed but also informed supporters the Labour needs to adapt how it functions to turn things around.

In contrast, Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has stressed cohesion, cautioning that choosing her opponent would result in party disputes and splits that could return the Labour back to being in opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not encourage investors to switch to shares but could increase home loan rates, MPs have warned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in the upcoming local elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have stated, after the Labour suffered a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP sent a testimonial by the security official involved in a controversy over the dismissal of a legal case against two British men alleged of spying for China.

The result of the deputy leadership election is scheduled to be declared at 10am BST.