Labour's New Deputy Leader Set to Be Declared This Saturday

Labour is poised to reveal its fresh deputy chief today, with polling data pointing to Lucy Powell leading Bridget Phillipson as balloting closed on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Presented is the politics agenda for today, according to the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in London. Speeches are expected afterwards from the winner and the PM.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from opposing groups are expected to descend on different sides of the capital after authorities banned Ukip supporters from gathering in Whitechapel due to fears of public unrest.
• Today: Counting starts to reveal the new head of state of Ireland.

Additionally, the Epping Forest MP Neil Hudson is conducting the morning media rounds for the Tory party.

Election Highlights and Contender Stances

During the election race, Powell frequently mentioned mistakes made by the party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she appeared to criticise a command and control approach within the administration, arguing that blindly following along was a failure of duty.

If Powell does emerge victorious, the result is likely 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 inquiry and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have led to doubts among MPs about the leader's position.

Lucy Powell has emphasized that she wants to support the PM and administration to succeed but also told followers the party needs to adapt how it operates to improve the situation.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has highlighted unity, cautioning that choosing her rival would result in internal debate and divisions that could lead the party back to opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not encourage investors to invest in stocks but could push up home loan rates, MPs have warned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in the upcoming council elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, MPs have said, after the party suffered a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP provided a testimonial by the security official involved in a controversy over the collapse of a legal case against two British men accused of espionage for China.

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