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Labour is poised to announce its new deputy chief today, with surveys pointing to the Manchester Central MP leading the education secretary as voting closed on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Here is the political schedule for today, as per the news schedule:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief will be announced in London. Addresses are anticipated following the announcement from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from rival factions are expected to gather in different sides of London after authorities prohibited Ukip activists from assembling in an East London area due to concerns of public unrest.
• Today: Counting starts to determine the next president of the Irish Republic.

Additionally, Epping Forest MP Conservative MP Neil Hudson is conducting the morning media rounds for the Conservatives.

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Stances

Throughout the election race, Powell often mentioned errors made by the party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a closing statement to backers, she seemed to question a command and control culture within the administration, stating that unquestioning compliance was a failure of duty.

Should Powell does emerge victorious, the result is likely to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's governance from Labour members.

The prime minister has recently endured a challenging period, marked by a dispute over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have led to doubts among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has emphasized that she wants to support the PM and administration to succeed but also informed followers the party needs to adapt how it operates to turn things around.

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

Other Political Headlines

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not encourage savers to switch to shares but could push up home loan rates, lawmakers have warned the finance minister.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in next May’s council elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have said, after the party suffered a crushing defeat in Wales.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a dispute over the collapse of a case against two British men alleged of espionage for China.

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