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The Labour Party is set to reveal its fresh deputy leader this Saturday, with surveys pointing to the Manchester Central MP ahead of Bridget Phillipson as balloting concluded on Thursday.

The Day's Schedule of Events

Below is the political timeline for today, based on the PA news agency:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in central London. Speeches are expected afterwards from the winner and the PM.
• 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from rival factions are likely to descend on different sides of London after police prohibited Ukip supporters from assembling in an East London area due to concerns of public unrest.
• Saturday: Vote counting starts to determine the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

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

Election Highlights and Candidate Positions

During the campaign, Powell frequently referred to errors made by the party on matters such as the winter heating payments. In a closing statement to supporters, she seemed to question a command and control culture within government, stating that unquestioning compliance was a failure of duty.

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

Keir Starmer has already endured a challenging period, marked by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a defeat in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

Labour’s struggles in the polls have led to questions among MPs about the leader's position.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she wants to support the PM and administration to succeed but also told followers the Labour must change how it functions to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Phillipson, seen as Number 10's favored choice, has stressed unity, cautioning that choosing her rival would result in party disputes and splits that could return the party back to opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not encourage savers to switch to shares but could increase home loan rates, MPs have warned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in the upcoming local elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have stated, after the Labour suffered a significant loss in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser involved in a controversy over the collapse of a case against two British men alleged of espionage for China.

The outcome of the deputy leadership election is expected to be declared at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.