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Labour is set to announce its new deputy leader today, with surveys indicating the Manchester Central MP ahead of the education secretary as voting ended on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Presented is the political timeline for today, as per the news schedule:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in central London. Speeches are anticipated following the announcement from the winner and the PM.
• 1pm: Protesters from rival factions are expected to descend on different sides of the capital after authorities prohibited Ukip activists from gathering in an East London area due to concerns of public unrest.
• Today: Counting starts to determine the new head of state of Ireland.

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

Election Key Points and Candidate Positions

Throughout the campaign, Lucy Powell often mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she seemed to question a top-down approach within the administration, stating that blindly following along was a dereliction of duty.

If Powell does emerge victorious, the outcome is likely to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's governance from party members.

Keir Starmer has recently faced a challenging week, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

Labour’s struggles in the opinion polls have led to doubts among MPs about the leader's position.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she aims to help Keir and our government to prosper but also informed supporters the party must change how it operates to turn things around.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's favored choice, has stressed unity, cautioning that choosing her rival would result in party disputes and splits that could return the Labour back to being in opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not persuade investors to invest in stocks but could increase mortgage costs, MPs have warned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in next May’s council elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have stated, after the Labour experienced a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician sent a witness statement by the security official involved in a controversy over the dismissal of a legal case against two UK nationals alleged of spying for China.

The result of the deputy leader contest is scheduled to be announced at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.