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Labour is ready to declare its new deputy chief this Saturday, with polling data pointing to Lucy Powell leading the education secretary as balloting closed on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Presented is the politics timeline for Saturday, based on the PA news agency:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in central London. Addresses are expected following the announcement from the victor and the prime minister.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from rival factions are likely to gather in separate areas of London after authorities banned Ukip activists from gathering in an East London area due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Saturday: Vote counting starts to determine the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

Meanwhile, Epping Forest MP Conservative MP Neil Hudson is conducting the media interviews for the Conservatives.

Election Highlights and Contender Positions

During the election race, Powell frequently referred to mistakes made by the party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a closing statement to supporters, she appeared to criticise a command and control approach within government, stating that blindly following along was a dereliction of duty.

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

Keir Starmer has recently endured a difficult period, marked by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

Labour’s struggles in the opinion polls have led to questions among MPs about Starmer’s leadership.

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

Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has highlighted cohesion, cautioning that voting for her opponent would result in party disputes and divisions that could return the Labour back to being in opposition.

Other Political Headlines

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade investors to switch to shares but could push up home loan rates, MPs have cautioned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in next May’s council elections could signal the termination of Keir Starmer’s premiership, MPs have stated, after the Labour suffered a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a controversy over the dismissal of a legal case against two British men alleged of espionage for China.

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