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Labour is set to declare its new deputy chief today, with surveys pointing to the Manchester Central MP ahead of the education secretary as voting closed on Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

Below is the political agenda for today, according to the news schedule:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in central London. Speeches are anticipated afterwards from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from opposing groups are expected to descend on different sides of the capital after police prohibited Ukip supporters from assembling in Whitechapel due to fears of public unrest.
• Today: Counting starts to reveal the next president of the Irish Republic.

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

Campaign Key Points and Candidate Positions

Throughout the election race, Powell frequently referred to errors made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to supporters, she seemed to question a top-down approach within government, stating that unquestioning compliance was a failure of responsibility.

If Powell does emerge victorious, the outcome is likely to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's governance from party members.

Keir Starmer has recently endured a difficult period, dominated by a dispute over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

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

Powell has stressed that she wants to support the PM and administration to prosper but also told supporters the Labour must change how it functions to improve the situation.

In contrast, Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's favored choice, has highlighted cohesion, cautioning that voting for her opponent would result in internal debate and splits that could return the party back to opposition.

Other News Highlights

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not encourage investors to switch to shares but could increase home loan rates, MPs have cautioned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in next May’s local elections could signal the termination of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have stated, after the party suffered a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the only politician provided a testimonial by the security official involved in a controversy over the dismissal of a case against two UK nationals alleged of espionage for China.

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