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The Labour Party is ready to declare its fresh deputy chief this Saturday, with polls pointing to the Manchester Central MP in front of the education secretary as voting closed on the previous Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

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

• 10am: The party's deputy chief will be announced in central London. Speeches are expected afterwards from the victor and the PM.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from rival factions are likely to descend on different sides of London after authorities banned Ukip supporters from assembling in an East London area due to fears of public unrest.
• Saturday: Counting begins to reveal the next president of the Irish Republic.

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

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Positions

Throughout the campaign, Lucy Powell often mentioned errors made by the party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to backers, she appeared to criticise a top-down approach within government, arguing that blindly following along was a dereliction of responsibility.

Should Powell does emerge victorious, the result is likely to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's leadership from Labour members.

The prime minister has already endured a challenging week, marked by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a loss in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have sparked doubts among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she wants to support the PM and administration to prosper but also informed supporters the party needs to adapt how it operates to turn things around.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has highlighted unity, cautioning that voting for her rival would result in internal debate and splits that could lead the Labour back to opposition.

Other News Highlights

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not encourage investors to switch to shares but could increase home loan rates, lawmakers have warned the chancellor.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in next May’s council elections could signal the termination of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have stated, after the party suffered a significant loss in Wales.
• The former prime minister was the only politician sent a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a dispute over the collapse of a case against two British men alleged of spying for China.

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