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The Labour Party is poised to reveal its new deputy leader today, with polling data suggesting the Manchester Central MP leading Bridget Phillipson as voting closed on Thursday.

Today's Schedule of Events

Presented is the political schedule for Saturday, based on the PA news agency:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in central London. Speeches are expected following the announcement from the victor and the PM.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from opposing groups are expected to descend on different sides of London after authorities prohibited Ukip activists from gathering in Whitechapel due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Today: Counting starts to reveal the next president of Ireland.

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

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Positions

Throughout the campaign, Lucy Powell frequently referred to mistakes made by the Labour Party on matters such as the winter fuel allowance. In a closing statement to supporters, she seemed to question a top-down approach within government, arguing that blindly following along was a dereliction of responsibility.

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

Keir Starmer has recently faced a challenging week, marked by a dispute over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have sparked questions among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she aims to support the PM and administration to succeed but also informed supporters the party needs to adapt how it functions to turn things around.

In contrast, Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's favored choice, has stressed cohesion, warning that voting for her rival would result in party disputes and divisions that could return the Labour back to opposition.

Other News Highlights

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not encourage investors to switch to shares but could push up mortgage costs, MPs have warned the chancellor.
• 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 crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the security official implicated in a controversy over the dismissal of a case against two UK nationals alleged of espionage for China.

The result of the deputy leader contest is expected to be announced at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.