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Labour is poised to announce its fresh deputy leader this Saturday, with polls suggesting Lucy Powell ahead of Bridget Phillipson as balloting closed on the previous Thursday.

Today's Schedule of Events

Below is the politics timeline for Saturday, as per the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in central London. Speeches are anticipated afterwards from the victor and the PM.
• 1pm: Protesters from opposing groups are expected to descend on different sides of the capital after authorities banned Ukip activists from assembling in Whitechapel due to fears of public unrest.
• Saturday: Vote counting begins to determine the next president of the Irish Republic.

Meanwhile, the Epping Forest MP Conservative MP Neil Hudson is conducting the media interviews for the Conservatives.

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Positions

During the election race, Powell often mentioned errors made by the party on matters such as the winter fuel allowance. 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 duty.

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

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

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

Lucy Powell has stressed that she wants to help Keir and our government to succeed but also told followers the party must change how it functions to improve the situation.

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

Additional Political Headlines

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not encourage savers to invest in stocks but could increase home loan rates, MPs have warned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in the upcoming council elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, MPs have said, after the Labour experienced a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP sent a witness statement by the security official implicated in a dispute over the collapse of a case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

The result of the deputy leader contest is expected to be declared at 10am BST.