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Labour is poised to announce its fresh deputy leader this Saturday, with polls suggesting the Manchester Central MP leading the education secretary as balloting closed on the previous Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

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

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in London. Speeches are expected afterwards from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from rival factions are likely to descend on different sides of London after police banned Ukip activists from gathering in an East London area due to fears of serious disorder.
• Saturday: Counting starts to reveal the next president of the Irish Republic.

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

Campaign Key Points and Candidate Stances

During the election race, Powell often referred to mistakes made by the party on matters such as the winter heating payments. In a closing statement to supporters, she appeared to criticise a command and control culture within government, stating that unquestioning compliance was a failure of duty.

If Powell does emerge victorious, the result is expected to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's governance from Labour members.

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

The party's difficulties in the polls have led to questions among MPs about the leader's position.

Powell has emphasized that she wants to support the PM and administration to prosper but also told supporters the party needs to adapt how it operates to improve the situation.

Meanwhile, Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's favored choice, has stressed unity, cautioning that choosing her rival would result in party disputes and splits that could lead the party back to being in opposition.

Other Political Headlines

• Cutting the cash Isa limit may not encourage investors to switch to shares but could increase mortgage costs, lawmakers have warned the finance minister.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in the upcoming local elections could signal the termination of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have stated, after the Labour suffered a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the only politician sent a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser involved in a dispute over the collapse of a legal case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

The outcome of the deputy leader contest is scheduled to be announced at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.