🔗 Share this article

The Labour Party is poised to declare its new deputy leader this Saturday, with polls indicating the Manchester Central MP leading the education secretary as voting closed on Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

Below is the political timeline for Saturday, according to the PA news agency:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in London. Addresses are expected following the announcement from the winner and the PM.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from rival factions are expected to descend on separate areas of the capital after police prohibited Ukip supporters from assembling in Whitechapel due to fears of public unrest.
• Saturday: Vote counting starts to determine the new head of state of Ireland.

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

Election Key Points and Contender Stances

During the campaign, Powell frequently referred to mistakes made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to supporters, she appeared to criticise a top-down culture within government, stating that unquestioning compliance was a failure of duty.

Should Powell wins, the result is expected to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's leadership from Labour members.

The prime minister has recently faced a challenging period, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

The party's difficulties in the polls have sparked questions among backbenchers about the leader's position.

Lucy Powell has emphasized that she wants to help Keir and our government to succeed but also informed supporters the Labour must change how it operates to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's favored choice, has highlighted unity, warning that choosing her opponent would result in internal debate and divisions that could return the Labour back to opposition.

Other Political Headlines

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not encourage savers to invest in stocks but could push up home loan rates, lawmakers have cautioned the finance minister.
• A wipeout for Labour in next May’s local elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have stated, after the party suffered a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician sent a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser involved in a dispute over the dismissal of a legal case against two British men alleged of spying for China.

The outcome of the deputy leadership election is scheduled to be declared at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.