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The Labour Party is set to reveal its new deputy leader today, with surveys suggesting the Manchester Central MP leading Bridget Phillipson as balloting concluded on Thursday.

The Day's Schedule of Events

Below is the politics schedule for today, as per the news schedule:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief will be announced in London. Speeches are expected afterwards from the winner and the PM.
• 1pm: Protesters from rival factions are expected to gather in separate areas of the capital after police banned Ukip activists from gathering in Whitechapel due to fears of public unrest.
• Saturday: Counting starts to determine the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

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

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Positions

Throughout the election race, Lucy Powell frequently referred to errors made by the Labour Party on matters such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she seemed to question a command and control culture within government, stating that unquestioning compliance was a failure of responsibility.

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

The prime minister has recently endured a difficult week, dominated by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

Labour’s struggles in the polls have led to questions among MPs 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 needs to adapt how it functions to improve the situation.

Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, seen as Number 10's preferred candidate, has stressed cohesion, warning that choosing her rival would result in party disputes and splits that could return the party back to being in opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not encourage investors to invest in stocks but could push up home loan rates, lawmakers have warned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in the upcoming council elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, MPs have said, after the party suffered a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP sent a witness statement by the security official involved in a controversy over the dismissal of a legal case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

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