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Labour is poised to announce its new deputy chief today, with surveys indicating the Manchester Central MP in front of the education secretary as voting ended on Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

Presented is the politics schedule for Saturday, according to the PA news agency:

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

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

Campaign Highlights and Contender Positions

Throughout the campaign, Lucy Powell frequently mentioned errors made by the party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a closing statement to backers, she appeared to criticise a top-down culture within the administration, stating that blindly following along was a dereliction of duty.

If Powell does emerge victorious, the result is likely to be seen as a rebuke to Keir Starmer's leadership from Labour members.

The prime minister has already endured a difficult week, marked by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

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

Powell has stressed that she aims to help Keir and our government to succeed but also informed supporters the party needs to adapt how it operates to improve the situation.

Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has highlighted cohesion, warning that choosing her rival would result in party disputes and splits that could lead the party back to opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not persuade investors to invest in stocks but could increase mortgage costs, lawmakers have cautioned 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 party suffered a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the security official involved in a controversy over the dismissal of a case against two British men alleged of spying for China.

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