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Labour is ready to declare its fresh deputy leader today, with polls pointing to Lucy Powell ahead of Bridget Phillipson as voting ended on Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

Presented is the politics agenda for Saturday, as per the news schedule:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in central London. Speeches are anticipated afterwards from the victor and the PM.
• 1pm: Protesters from rival factions are likely to descend on different sides of London after authorities prohibited Ukip activists from gathering in Whitechapel due to fears of public unrest.
• Today: Counting begins to reveal the new head of state of Ireland.

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

Election Highlights and Candidate Positions

Throughout the campaign, Lucy Powell frequently referred to errors made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she appeared to criticise a command and control culture within government, stating that unquestioning compliance was a dereliction of duty.

If Powell wins, the result is likely to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's governance from party members.

The prime minister has already faced a challenging week, dominated by a dispute over the grooming gangs investigation and a loss in the Welsh assembly by-election in the Caerphilly seat.

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

Powell has emphasized that she wants to support the PM and administration to prosper but also informed followers the Labour must change how it operates to turn things around.

In contrast, Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's favored choice, has highlighted cohesion, warning that choosing her opponent would result in party disputes and divisions that could return the Labour back to opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not encourage savers to invest in stocks but could increase home loan rates, lawmakers have cautioned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in next May’s local elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have stated, after the party experienced a crushing defeat in Wales.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP sent a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a controversy over the collapse of a legal case against two UK nationals accused of espionage for China.

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