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Labour is ready to declare its fresh deputy leader this Saturday, with surveys indicating the Manchester Central MP in front of the education secretary as voting ended on Thursday.

The Day's Schedule of Events

Here is the political timeline for today, based on the news schedule:

• 10:00 AM: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in central London. Addresses are expected afterwards from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1pm: Protesters from rival factions are expected to gather in different sides of the capital after authorities prohibited Ukip supporters from assembling in an East London area due to fears of public unrest.
• Saturday: Counting begins to reveal the next president of the Irish Republic.

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

Election Key Points and Contender Positions

During the election race, Lucy Powell frequently mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to supporters, she seemed to question a command and control approach within government, arguing that blindly following along was a failure of responsibility.

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

The prime minister has already faced a challenging period, marked by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

Labour’s struggles in the polls have led to questions among MPs about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has emphasized that she wants to support the PM and administration to succeed but also informed supporters the party must change how it operates to turn things around.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as Number 10's preferred candidate, has highlighted cohesion, cautioning that choosing her rival would result in party disputes and splits that could lead the Labour back to being in opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade 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 council elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have stated, after the party experienced a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP provided a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a dispute over the dismissal of a case against two British men accused of spying for China.

The result of the deputy leader contest is expected to be announced at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.