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The Labour Party is poised to declare its fresh deputy chief this Saturday, with surveys indicating the Manchester Central MP ahead of the education secretary as voting closed on Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

Below is the political schedule for Saturday, based on the news schedule:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in central London. Speeches are anticipated following the announcement from the victor and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from rival factions are expected to descend on different sides of the capital after police banned Ukip supporters from gathering in an East London area due to fears of serious disorder.
• Today: Vote counting starts to determine the new head of state of Ireland.

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

Election Highlights and Candidate Stances

Throughout the campaign, Lucy Powell frequently mentioned mistakes made by the party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to backers, she seemed to question a command and control approach 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 rebuke to the prime minister's leadership from Labour members.

The prime minister has recently endured a difficult period, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

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

Powell has stressed that she wants to support the PM and administration to prosper but also told supporters the party must change how it operates to improve the situation.

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

Additional News Highlights

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not encourage investors to invest in stocks but could increase mortgage costs, MPs have warned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in the upcoming council elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have stated, after the Labour experienced a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP sent a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a controversy over the dismissal of a case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

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