🔗 Share this article

Labour is set to announce its fresh deputy leader today, with polling data suggesting the Manchester Central MP ahead of the education secretary as balloting ended on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Below is the political timeline for Saturday, as per the news schedule:

• 10:00 AM: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in London. Speeches are expected following the announcement from the victor and the PM.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from opposing groups are expected to descend on separate areas of London after police prohibited Ukip supporters from gathering in Whitechapel due to fears of serious disorder.
• Saturday: Counting starts to determine the next president of the Irish Republic.

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

Election Highlights and Contender Positions

Throughout the election race, Lucy Powell often mentioned errors made by the party on matters such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to backers, she appeared to criticise a command and control approach within government, arguing that blindly following along was a dereliction of responsibility.

Should Powell wins, the result is expected to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's governance from party members.

The prime minister has already endured a challenging period, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a loss in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

The party's difficulties in the polls have led to questions among MPs about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she wants to help Keir and our government to prosper but also told supporters the Labour must change how it operates to improve the situation.

In contrast, Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's favored choice, has stressed cohesion, warning that choosing her rival would result in internal debate and splits that could return the party back to being in opposition.

Other Political Headlines

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not encourage savers to invest in stocks but could increase home loan rates, MPs have warned the chancellor.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in next May’s council elections could signal the termination of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have said, after the party experienced a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP sent a testimonial by the security official involved in a dispute over the dismissal of a case against two UK nationals accused of espionage for China.

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