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The Labour Party is poised to announce its new deputy chief today, with polling data suggesting the Manchester Central MP in front of Bridget Phillipson as voting closed on Thursday.

The Day's Schedule of Events

Below is the politics schedule for today, according to the PA news agency:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief will be announced in London. Speeches are expected afterwards from the victor and the PM.
• 1pm: Protesters from rival factions are expected to descend on different sides of London after police banned Ukip supporters from assembling in an East London area due to concerns of public unrest.
• Today: Counting begins to determine the next president of the Irish Republic.

Meanwhile, the Epping Forest MP Neil Hudson is conducting the morning media rounds for the Tory party.

Campaign Key Points and Contender Positions

Throughout the election race, Powell frequently referred to mistakes made by the party on matters such as the winter fuel allowance. In a closing statement to backers, she seemed to question a top-down approach within government, stating that blindly following along was a failure of responsibility.

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

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

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have led to questions among MPs about Starmer’s leadership.

Powell has stressed that she aims to support the PM and administration to prosper but also informed supporters the Labour needs to adapt how it functions to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has highlighted cohesion, cautioning that choosing her opponent would result in internal debate and divisions that could return the party back to being in opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade investors to invest in stocks but could push up home loan rates, lawmakers have warned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in the upcoming local elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, MPs have stated, after the Labour suffered a crushing defeat in Wales.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP sent a testimonial by the security official implicated in a controversy over the collapse of a case against two UK nationals alleged of spying for China.

The outcome of the deputy leader contest is scheduled to be declared at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.