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The Labour Party is set to announce its new deputy chief today, with polls suggesting Lucy Powell ahead of Bridget Phillipson as balloting concluded on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Below is the political agenda for Saturday, as per the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief will be announced in central London. Speeches are anticipated afterwards from the victor and the PM.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from opposing groups are expected to descend on different sides of London after authorities prohibited Ukip supporters from assembling in Whitechapel due to fears of serious disorder.
• Today: Counting starts to determine the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

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

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Stances

Throughout the election race, Lucy Powell frequently mentioned errors made by the party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she seemed to question a command and control approach within government, stating that blindly following along was a dereliction of duty.

Should Powell wins, the outcome is expected to be seen as a criticism to Keir Starmer's governance from Labour members.

The prime minister has recently faced a challenging period, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

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

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

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has highlighted cohesion, warning that voting for her rival would result in party disputes and divisions that could lead the Labour back to opposition.

Other Political Headlines

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not encourage investors to invest in stocks but could increase home loan rates, MPs have cautioned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in the upcoming local elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, MPs have said, after the party suffered a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the security official involved in a dispute over the collapse of a case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

The result of the deputy leader contest is scheduled to be announced at 10am BST.