🔗 Share this article

Labour is poised to reveal its new deputy chief today, with polling data indicating the Manchester Central MP leading the education secretary as balloting concluded on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Here is the politics schedule for today, based on the PA news agency:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in central London. Speeches are expected afterwards from the victor and the PM.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from rival factions are likely to descend on different sides of the capital after police banned Ukip supporters from assembling in an East London area due to fears of public unrest.
• Today: Counting starts to determine the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

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

Campaign Highlights and Contender Positions

Throughout the campaign, Powell often referred to errors made by the party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a closing statement to backers, she seemed to question a top-down approach within the administration, stating that blindly following along was a failure of duty.

Should Powell wins, the outcome is likely to be seen as a criticism to Keir Starmer's governance from Labour members.

The prime minister has already faced a challenging week, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

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

Lucy Powell has stressed that she wants to support the PM and administration to succeed but also informed supporters the Labour must change how it functions to improve the situation.

Meanwhile, Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's favored choice, has stressed cohesion, cautioning that choosing her opponent would result in party disputes and divisions that could return the Labour back to being in opposition.

Other Political Headlines

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not persuade investors to invest in stocks but could increase home loan rates, lawmakers have cautioned the finance minister.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in next May’s local elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, MPs have said, after the Labour suffered a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP sent a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser involved in a controversy over the dismissal of a legal case against two British men accused of spying for China.

The outcome of the deputy leadership election is expected to be announced at 10am BST.