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Labour is ready to declare its new deputy chief today, with polling data indicating Lucy Powell leading the education secretary as voting concluded on the previous Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

Below is the politics schedule for today, based on the news schedule:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in central London. Speeches are anticipated 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 authorities banned Ukip supporters from assembling in Whitechapel due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Saturday: Counting begins to determine the next president of the Irish Republic.

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

Election Key Points and Contender Stances

Throughout the election race, Lucy Powell frequently referred to errors made by the Labour Party on matters such as the winter fuel allowance. In a closing statement to backers, she seemed to question a command and control approach within government, arguing that blindly following along was a failure of responsibility.

If Powell does emerge victorious, the result is likely to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's leadership from party members.

Keir Starmer has recently endured a difficult period, marked by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

Labour’s struggles in the polls have sparked doubts among MPs about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has emphasized that she wants to support the PM and administration to succeed but also informed followers the Labour needs to adapt how it operates to improve the situation.

Meanwhile, Phillipson, seen as Number 10's preferred candidate, has highlighted unity, cautioning that voting for her rival would result in internal debate and divisions that could lead the Labour back to opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not persuade investors to switch to shares but could increase home loan rates, MPs have warned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in next May’s council elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have said, after the Labour experienced a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser involved in a dispute over the dismissal of a case against two British men alleged of espionage for China.

The result of the deputy leader contest is expected to be declared at 10am BST.