🔗 Share this article

Labour is poised to reveal its fresh deputy chief today, with surveys suggesting the Manchester Central MP in front of the education secretary as balloting concluded on the previous Thursday.

The Day's Schedule of Events

Presented is the politics schedule for Saturday, based on the news schedule:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in central London. Addresses are anticipated following the announcement from the victor and the prime minister.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from opposing groups are likely to descend on different sides of London after police prohibited Ukip supporters from assembling in Whitechapel due to fears of serious disorder.
• Today: Vote counting starts to determine 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 Candidate Stances

Throughout the campaign, Lucy Powell often referred to errors 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 government, arguing that blindly following along was a dereliction of duty.

If Powell wins, the outcome is expected to be seen as a rebuke to Keir Starmer's leadership from Labour members.

Keir Starmer has already endured a difficult period, marked by a dispute over the grooming gangs investigation and a loss in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

Labour’s struggles in the opinion polls have sparked questions among MPs about the leader's position.

Powell has emphasized that she wants to support the PM and administration to succeed but also told followers the party must change how it functions to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's favored choice, has highlighted cohesion, cautioning that choosing her rival would result in internal debate and divisions that could lead the Labour back to being in opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not persuade savers to invest in stocks but could increase mortgage costs, MPs have warned the finance minister.
• A wipeout for Labour in the upcoming council elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, MPs have said, after the Labour suffered a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP sent a witness statement by the security official implicated in a controversy over the collapse of a case against two British men alleged of spying for China.

The outcome of the deputy leadership election is expected to be announced at 10am BST.