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The Labour Party is poised to reveal its new deputy leader this Saturday, with polls suggesting Lucy Powell in front of Bridget Phillipson as voting closed on the previous Thursday.

Today's Schedule of Events

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

• 10am: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in London. Addresses are expected following the announcement from the victor and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from opposing groups are likely to descend on separate areas of the capital after police banned Ukip activists from gathering in Whitechapel due to fears of serious disorder.
• Today: Vote counting starts to reveal the new head of state of Ireland.

Additionally, the Epping Forest MP Neil Hudson is on the morning media rounds for the Conservatives.

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Positions

Throughout the campaign, Powell frequently mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to supporters, she appeared to criticise a command and control culture within government, arguing that blindly following along was a dereliction of duty.

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

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

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have sparked questions among MPs about the leader's position.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she wants to help Keir and our government to succeed but also informed supporters the Labour must change how it functions to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's favored choice, has highlighted unity, cautioning that voting for her opponent would result in internal debate and splits that could lead the party back to being in opposition.

Other Political Headlines

• Cutting the cash Isa limit may not persuade savers to switch to shares but could increase home loan rates, lawmakers have warned the finance minister.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in the upcoming local elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, MPs have said, after the Labour suffered a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the security official involved in a controversy over the collapse of a case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

The outcome of the deputy leader contest is scheduled to be declared at 10am BST.