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

The Day's Political Agenda

Below is the political timeline for Saturday, based on the PA news agency:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief will be announced in central London. Addresses are expected afterwards from the winner and the PM.
• 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from rival factions are likely to gather in different sides of London after authorities banned Ukip activists from gathering in Whitechapel due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Saturday: Vote counting begins to reveal the next president of Ireland.

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

Election Highlights and Contender Positions

Throughout the campaign, Lucy Powell often referred to errors made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to backers, she seemed to question a top-down culture within government, stating that blindly following along was a dereliction of duty.

Should Powell does emerge victorious, the outcome is expected to be seen as a rebuke to Keir Starmer's leadership from party members.

Keir Starmer has recently endured a difficult period, dominated by a dispute over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Welsh assembly by-election in the Caerphilly seat.

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

Lucy Powell has emphasized that she aims to help Keir and our government to prosper but also told supporters the Labour must change how it operates to turn things around.

In contrast, Phillipson, seen as Number 10's favored choice, has highlighted cohesion, cautioning that voting for her rival would result in party disputes and divisions that could lead the Labour back to opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not persuade investors to invest in stocks but could push up mortgage costs, lawmakers have warned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in the upcoming local elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, MPs have stated, after the party experienced a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP sent a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser involved in a controversy over the collapse of a case against two UK nationals alleged of spying for China.

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