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Labour is poised to announce its fresh deputy chief this Saturday, with polling data suggesting Lucy Powell ahead of the education secretary as voting concluded on Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

Here is the political timeline for Saturday, based on the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in central London. Addresses are expected following the announcement from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from opposing groups are expected to gather in different sides of London after authorities prohibited Ukip activists from gathering in Whitechapel due to concerns of public unrest.
• Today: Counting begins to determine the next president of Ireland.

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

Campaign Key Points and Candidate Positions

Throughout the election race, Powell frequently referred to errors made by the Labour Party on matters such as the winter fuel allowance. In a closing statement to backers, she seemed to question a command and control culture within the administration, arguing that blindly following along was a failure of responsibility.

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

The prime minister has already faced a challenging period, dominated 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 doubts among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she wants to support the PM and administration to succeed but also told followers the party must change how it functions to improve the situation.

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

Other News Highlights

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade savers to switch to shares but could increase home loan rates, lawmakers have cautioned the finance minister.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in the upcoming council elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have said, after the party suffered a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician provided a testimonial by the security official implicated in a dispute over the dismissal of a legal case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

The result of the deputy leadership election is scheduled to be declared at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.