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The Labour Party is ready to declare its fresh deputy leader today, with surveys pointing to Lucy Powell ahead of Bridget Phillipson as balloting concluded on Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

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

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in London. Addresses are expected afterwards from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from rival factions are likely to descend on different sides of the capital after police prohibited Ukip activists from gathering in Whitechapel due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Today: Counting starts to determine the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

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

Election Highlights and Contender Stances

During the campaign, Powell frequently mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she seemed to question a top-down approach within government, stating that blindly following along was a failure of responsibility.

Should Powell does emerge victorious, the result is expected to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's governance from Labour members.

The prime minister has already endured a challenging week, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Welsh assembly by-election in the Caerphilly seat.

Labour’s struggles in the opinion polls have led to doubts among backbenchers about the leader's position.

Lucy Powell has emphasized that she wants to support the PM and administration to succeed but also informed followers the Labour must change how it functions to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, seen as Number 10's preferred candidate, has stressed unity, cautioning that choosing her opponent would result in internal debate and divisions that could return the party back to being in opposition.

Other News Highlights

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not encourage investors to switch to shares but could increase mortgage costs, MPs have warned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in next May’s local elections could signal the termination of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have said, after the Labour experienced a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician provided a testimonial by the security official implicated in a dispute over the dismissal of a legal case against two UK nationals alleged of spying for China.

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