🔗 Share this article

The Labour Party is poised to declare its new deputy chief this Saturday, with surveys suggesting Lucy Powell in front of Bridget Phillipson as voting ended on Thursday.

Today's Schedule of Events

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

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief will be announced in central London. Speeches are expected following the announcement from the winner and the PM.
• 1pm: Protesters from opposing groups are expected to descend on different sides of the capital after police prohibited Ukip activists from assembling in an East London area due to fears of public unrest.
• Today: Vote counting begins to reveal the new head of state of Ireland.

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

Election Highlights and Contender Stances

During the campaign, Powell often referred to mistakes made by the party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to backers, she seemed to question a top-down culture within the administration, arguing that blindly following along was a failure of responsibility.

Should Powell wins, the result is likely to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's governance from Labour members.

Keir Starmer has already endured a difficult week, dominated by a dispute over the grooming gangs investigation and a defeat in the Welsh assembly by-election in the Caerphilly seat.

The party's difficulties in the polls have led to questions among backbenchers about the leader's position.

Lucy Powell has emphasized that she aims to support the PM and administration to prosper but also informed followers the party must change how it functions to improve the situation.

Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has stressed unity, cautioning that voting for her rival 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 persuade investors to switch to shares but could increase mortgage costs, lawmakers have cautioned the finance minister.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in next May’s council elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, MPs have said, after the party experienced a significant loss in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician sent a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a dispute over the dismissal of a legal case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

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