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The Labour Party is set to declare its new deputy leader this Saturday, with polls suggesting Lucy Powell ahead of the education secretary as balloting concluded on Thursday.

Today's Schedule of Events

Below is the politics agenda for today, as per the PA news agency:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in London. Addresses are anticipated following the announcement from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from opposing groups are expected to gather in separate areas of London after authorities prohibited Ukip supporters from assembling in an East London area due to concerns of public unrest.
• Today: Vote counting starts to reveal the next president of the Irish Republic.

Additionally, the Epping Forest MP Neil Hudson is on the media interviews for the Conservatives.

Campaign Key Points and Candidate Positions

Throughout the election race, Powell frequently referred to mistakes made by the Labour 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, arguing that unquestioning compliance was a dereliction of responsibility.

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

Keir Starmer has recently endured a challenging period, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

Labour’s struggles in the opinion polls have led to doubts 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 Labour must change how it operates to turn things around.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, seen as Number 10's preferred candidate, has highlighted unity, warning that voting for her rival would result in party disputes and splits that could lead the party back to being in opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Cutting the cash Isa limit may not persuade investors to switch to shares but could increase mortgage costs, MPs have cautioned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in the upcoming council elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have said, after the Labour experienced a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP provided a witness statement 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 outcome of the deputy leadership election is expected to be declared at 10am BST.