🔗 Share this article

Labour is set to reveal its fresh deputy leader this Saturday, with surveys pointing to the Manchester Central MP in front of the education secretary as balloting closed on the previous Thursday.

The Day's Schedule of Events

Here is the political timeline for Saturday, according to the news schedule:

• 10:00 AM: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in central London. Speeches are expected following the announcement from the winner and the PM.
• 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from opposing groups are likely to gather in different sides of London after authorities prohibited Ukip supporters from gathering in Whitechapel due to fears of serious disorder.
• Today: Vote counting starts to reveal the next president of Ireland.

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

Campaign Key Points and Candidate Stances

Throughout the election race, Lucy Powell often referred to errors made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she seemed to question a top-down culture within government, arguing that unquestioning compliance was a failure of duty.

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

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

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

Lucy Powell has stressed that she wants to help Keir and our government to succeed but also informed followers the Labour needs to adapt how it functions to improve the situation.

In contrast, Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has highlighted cohesion, cautioning that voting for her opponent would result in party disputes and splits that could return the party back to being in opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade savers to switch to shares but could push up mortgage costs, lawmakers have warned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in next May’s local elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, MPs have said, after the party suffered a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the security official involved in a controversy over the collapse of a case against two British men alleged of spying for China.

The result of the deputy leader contest is scheduled to be announced at 10am BST.