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The Labour Party is ready to reveal its fresh deputy chief this Saturday, with polls pointing to Lucy Powell in front of the education secretary as voting ended on Thursday.

Today's Schedule of Events

Below is the political timeline for Saturday, according to the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief will be announced in central London. Addresses are expected following the announcement from the winner and the PM.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from rival factions are likely to gather in separate areas of London after police banned Ukip supporters from gathering in Whitechapel due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Today: Counting starts to determine the new head of state of Ireland.

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

Campaign Key Points and Candidate Positions

During the campaign, Lucy Powell frequently referred to mistakes made by the party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a closing statement to supporters, 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 outcome is expected to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's leadership from Labour members.

Keir Starmer has already faced a difficult period, dominated by a dispute over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have led to questions among backbenchers about the leader's position.

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

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

Other Political Headlines

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not persuade investors to invest in stocks but could increase mortgage costs, MPs have warned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in next May’s council elections could signal the termination of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have stated, after the party experienced a significant loss in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP provided a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser involved in a controversy over the collapse 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 10am BST.