Labour's New Deputy Chief Set to Be Announced Today

Labour is set to announce its new deputy chief this Saturday, with polls indicating Lucy Powell leading Bridget Phillipson as balloting ended on the previous Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Here is the political timeline for today, as per the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief will be announced in London. Speeches are expected afterwards from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from opposing groups are expected to descend on separate areas of London after authorities banned Ukip supporters from gathering in Whitechapel due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Today: Counting starts to determine the next president of the Irish Republic.

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

Campaign Key Points and Candidate Stances

During the campaign, Lucy Powell often mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to supporters, she seemed to question a command and control approach within government, arguing that unquestioning compliance was a dereliction of duty.

If Powell wins, the outcome is likely to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's leadership from Labour members.

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

Labour’s struggles in the opinion polls have sparked doubts among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she wants to help Keir and our government to prosper but also informed followers the party needs to adapt how it functions to improve the situation.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's favored choice, has stressed cohesion, warning that voting for her opponent would result in internal debate and divisions that could return the party back to being in opposition.

Other News Highlights

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not encourage savers to invest in stocks but could push up home loan rates, MPs have cautioned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in the upcoming council elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have said, after the party suffered a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician sent a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser involved in a dispute over the collapse of a case against two UK nationals accused of espionage for China.

The outcome of the deputy leader contest is expected to be announced at 10am BST.