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The Labour Party is set to declare its new deputy leader today, with polls indicating the Manchester Central MP in front of the education secretary as voting closed on Thursday.

Today's Schedule of Events

Presented is the political timeline for today, as per the news schedule:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in central London. Speeches are anticipated afterwards from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from opposing groups are expected to gather in separate areas of the capital after police banned Ukip activists from assembling in Whitechapel due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Today: Counting begins to determine the next president of the Irish Republic.

Additionally, Epping Forest MP Conservative MP Neil Hudson is conducting the media interviews for the Conservatives.

Campaign Key Points and Candidate Stances

Throughout the campaign, Lucy Powell frequently referred to mistakes made by the party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a closing statement to backers, she seemed to question a command and control approach within the administration, arguing that unquestioning compliance was a failure of responsibility.

Should Powell wins, the result is likely to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's governance from Labour members.

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

Labour’s struggles in the opinion polls have sparked doubts among backbenchers about the leader's position.

Powell has stressed that she wants to support the PM and administration to prosper but also informed supporters the party must change how it operates to improve the situation.

Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's favored choice, has highlighted cohesion, cautioning that voting for her rival would result in party disputes and divisions that could return the party back to opposition.

Other News Highlights

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade investors to switch to shares but could push up mortgage costs, lawmakers have cautioned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in next May’s local elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have stated, after the party suffered a significant loss in Wales.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a controversy over the collapse of a case against two British men alleged of spying for China.

The outcome of the deputy leadership election is scheduled to be declared at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.