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The Labour Party is set to reveal its new deputy chief today, with polls indicating Lucy Powell leading the education secretary as balloting ended on the previous Thursday.

The Day's Schedule of Events

Here is the political timeline for Saturday, based on the PA news agency:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in central London. Speeches are expected afterwards from the victor and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from opposing groups are expected to descend on separate areas of the capital after police prohibited Ukip supporters from gathering in Whitechapel due to fears of serious disorder.
• Today: Vote counting starts to reveal the new head of state of Ireland.

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

Campaign Key Points and Candidate Positions

Throughout the campaign, Powell frequently mentioned errors made by the party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to backers, she appeared to criticise a command and control approach within government, arguing that blindly following along was a dereliction of responsibility.

Should Powell wins, the result is expected to be seen as a rebuke to Keir Starmer's governance from Labour members.

The prime minister has recently faced a difficult week, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

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 succeed but also informed followers the party needs to adapt how it functions to turn things around.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as Number 10's favored choice, has stressed unity, cautioning that choosing her rival would result in internal debate and divisions that could lead the party back to opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade investors to invest in stocks but could push up home loan rates, MPs have cautioned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in the upcoming local elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have said, after the party suffered a crushing defeat in Wales.
• The former prime minister was the only politician provided a witness statement by the security official involved in a controversy over the collapse of a legal case against two British men accused of spying for China.

The outcome of the deputy leader contest is expected to be announced at 10am BST.