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The Labour Party is ready to declare its new deputy leader this Saturday, with surveys indicating Lucy Powell ahead of the education secretary as voting ended on the previous Thursday.

The Day's Schedule of Events

Here is the political agenda for today, as per the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief will be announced in central London. Addresses are anticipated following the announcement from the victor and the PM.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from rival factions are likely to descend on separate areas of London after authorities prohibited Ukip activists from gathering in Whitechapel due to fears of public unrest.
• Saturday: Vote counting begins to determine the new head of state of Ireland.

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

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Stances

Throughout the campaign, Powell frequently referred to mistakes made by the party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she appeared to criticise a command and control approach within the administration, stating that blindly following along was a failure of responsibility.

If Powell wins, the result is likely to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's leadership from party members.

The prime minister has recently faced a difficult period, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

Labour’s struggles in the polls have sparked doubts among MPs about Starmer’s leadership.

Powell has emphasized that she wants to help Keir and our government to prosper but also told followers the Labour needs to adapt how it functions to turn things around.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as Number 10's favored choice, has stressed cohesion, warning that voting for her opponent would result in party disputes and divisions that could lead the party back to being in opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade investors to switch to shares but could push up home loan rates, lawmakers have warned the chancellor.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in the upcoming council elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, MPs have said, after the party suffered a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician sent a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser implicated 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 declared at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.