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The Labour Party is set to declare its new deputy leader this Saturday, with surveys pointing to Lucy Powell in front of Bridget Phillipson as balloting concluded on Thursday.

The Day's Schedule of Events

Here is the politics agenda for today, as per the news schedule:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in central London. Addresses are anticipated following the announcement from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from rival factions are likely to descend on separate areas of the capital after authorities prohibited Ukip supporters from assembling in an East London area due to concerns of public unrest.
• Today: Vote counting starts to determine the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

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

Election Key Points and Contender Positions

During the election race, Lucy Powell frequently referred to errors made by the Labour 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 unquestioning compliance was a failure of duty.

If Powell does emerge victorious, the outcome is likely to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's leadership from party members.

Keir Starmer has recently faced a challenging period, marked by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have led to doubts among MPs about Starmer’s leadership.

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

Meanwhile, Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's favored choice, has stressed cohesion, warning that choosing her opponent would result in internal debate and splits that could return the party back to opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not encourage savers to switch to shares but could push up home loan rates, MPs have warned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in the upcoming local elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, MPs have stated, after the Labour suffered a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the security official implicated in a controversy over the dismissal of a case against two British men alleged of espionage for China.

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