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The Labour Party is set to reveal its fresh deputy leader today, with polling data pointing to Lucy Powell leading the education secretary as balloting ended on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Presented is the political agenda for today, according to the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief will be announced in central London. Speeches are expected afterwards from the winner and the PM.
• 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from rival factions are likely to descend on separate areas of the capital after authorities banned Ukip supporters from gathering in an East London area due to fears of serious disorder.
• Saturday: Vote counting starts to determine the new head of state of Ireland.

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

Campaign Key Points and Contender Stances

During the campaign, Powell often mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on matters such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to backers, she seemed to question a command and control culture within the administration, stating that blindly following along was a failure of duty.

If Powell does emerge victorious, the result is likely to be seen as a criticism to Keir Starmer's leadership from party members.

Keir Starmer has recently faced a difficult week, marked by a dispute over the grooming gangs investigation and a loss in the Welsh assembly by-election in the Caerphilly seat.

Labour’s struggles in the opinion polls have led to doubts among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.

Powell has emphasized that she wants to help Keir and our government to succeed but also informed followers the Labour needs to adapt how it functions to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as Number 10's favored choice, has highlighted cohesion, cautioning that choosing her opponent would result in party disputes and divisions that could return the Labour back to opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Cutting the cash Isa limit may not persuade savers to switch to shares but could increase home loan rates, lawmakers have cautioned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in the upcoming council elections could signal the termination of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have said, after the party suffered a significant loss in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak 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 accused of espionage for China.

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