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Labour is ready to declare its new deputy leader today, with polls pointing to the Manchester Central MP leading the education secretary as voting closed on the previous Thursday.

The Day's Schedule of Events

Here is the politics agenda for Saturday, based on the news schedule:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in London. Speeches are anticipated following the announcement from the winner and the PM.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from rival factions are expected to gather in different sides of the capital after authorities banned Ukip supporters from assembling in Whitechapel due to fears of public unrest.
• Saturday: Counting starts to reveal the next president of the Irish Republic.

Meanwhile, the Epping Forest MP Conservative MP Neil Hudson is on the morning media rounds for the Tory party.

Election Key Points and Contender Stances

During the campaign, Lucy Powell frequently mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on matters such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to supporters, she appeared to criticise a command and control culture within the administration, arguing that blindly following along was a failure of duty.

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

The prime minister has already faced a challenging week, marked by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a defeat in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

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

Powell has stressed that she aims to help Keir and our government to succeed but also informed supporters the Labour must change how it operates to improve the situation.

In contrast, Phillipson, seen as Number 10's preferred candidate, has stressed unity, warning that choosing her rival would result in party disputes and splits that could return the Labour back to opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade investors to switch to shares but could increase home loan rates, lawmakers have warned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in the upcoming council elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have stated, after the Labour experienced a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician sent a witness statement by the security official implicated in a dispute over the collapse of a legal case against two UK nationals accused of espionage for China.

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