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Labour is ready to announce its fresh deputy leader this Saturday, with polling data suggesting Lucy Powell ahead of the education secretary as balloting ended on the previous Thursday.

Today's Schedule of Events

Below is the politics schedule for Saturday, according to the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief will be announced in central London. Addresses are anticipated afterwards from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1pm: Protesters from rival factions are expected to gather in different sides of the capital after authorities prohibited Ukip supporters from assembling in Whitechapel due to concerns of public unrest.
• Today: Counting begins to determine the new head of state of Ireland.

Additionally, the Epping Forest MP Conservative MP Neil Hudson is on the media interviews for the Tory party.

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Positions

During the election race, Powell often mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a closing statement to supporters, she appeared to criticise a command and control approach within government, arguing that blindly following along was a failure of responsibility.

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

The prime minister has recently faced a difficult period, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

Labour’s struggles in the polls have led to doubts among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she wants to help Keir and our government to prosper but also told followers the Labour must change how it functions to turn things around.

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

Additional Political Headlines

• Cutting the cash Isa limit may not persuade investors to switch to shares but could push up 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 experienced a significant loss in Wales.
• The former prime minister was the only politician provided a testimonial by the security official involved in a controversy over the collapse of a case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

The outcome of the deputy leadership election is expected to be announced at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.