🔗 Share this article

Labour is poised to announce its new deputy chief today, with polls pointing to the Manchester Central MP in front of the education secretary as balloting concluded on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Here is the political timeline for today, according to the news schedule:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief will be announced in London. Addresses are expected following the announcement from the victor and the PM.
• 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from opposing groups are likely to descend on separate areas of the capital after police prohibited Ukip supporters from assembling in an East London area due to concerns of public unrest.
• Saturday: Counting begins to reveal the next president of the Irish Republic.

Additionally, the Epping Forest MP Neil Hudson is conducting the media interviews for the Tory party.

Election Key Points and Candidate Stances

During the election race, Lucy Powell often referred to mistakes made by the party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a closing statement to supporters, she seemed to question a top-down culture within government, stating that blindly following along was a failure of responsibility.

Should Powell does emerge victorious, the outcome is likely to be seen as a rebuke to Keir Starmer's governance from Labour members.

Keir Starmer has already faced a challenging period, dominated 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 polls have sparked doubts among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she aims to support the PM and administration to succeed but also informed followers the party must change how it operates to improve the situation.

In contrast, Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has stressed unity, cautioning that choosing her opponent would result in internal debate and divisions that could return the party back to opposition.

Other News Highlights

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not persuade investors to invest in stocks but could increase mortgage costs, MPs have cautioned the chancellor.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in the upcoming local elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have stated, after the Labour suffered a crushing defeat in Wales.
• The former prime minister was the only politician provided a witness statement by the security official involved in a dispute over the collapse of a legal case against two British men accused of spying for China.

The outcome of the deputy leadership election is scheduled to be announced at 10am BST.