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The Labour Party is set to reveal its new deputy chief today, with polls indicating Lucy Powell leading Bridget Phillipson as balloting closed on the previous Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Below is the politics schedule for today, as per the PA news agency:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in London. Speeches are anticipated afterwards from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from opposing groups are likely to descend on separate areas of London after police banned Ukip supporters from assembling in an East London area due to fears of public unrest.
• Today: Vote counting begins to determine the next president of Ireland.

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

Campaign Key Points and Candidate Positions

During the election race, Lucy Powell often mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a closing statement to supporters, she seemed to question a top-down culture within government, stating that blindly following along was a failure of duty.

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

Keir Starmer has already faced a challenging week, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

Labour’s struggles in the polls have sparked questions among MPs about the leader's position.

Lucy Powell has emphasized that she wants to help Keir and our government to prosper but also informed followers the party needs to adapt how it functions to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Phillipson, regarded as Number 10's preferred candidate, has highlighted unity, warning that choosing her opponent would result in party disputes and divisions that could lead the Labour back to being in opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Cutting the cash Isa limit may not persuade savers to invest in stocks but could push up mortgage costs, MPs have cautioned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in next May’s local elections could signal the termination of Keir Starmer’s premiership, MPs have said, after the Labour experienced a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician sent a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a dispute over the collapse of a legal case against two British men accused of espionage for China.

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