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Labour is poised to declare its fresh deputy chief today, with surveys suggesting Lucy Powell in front of the education secretary as balloting closed on Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

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

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief will be announced in London. Speeches are anticipated afterwards from the winner and the PM.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from rival factions are likely to descend on separate areas of London after authorities banned Ukip supporters from assembling in an East London area due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Today: Vote counting begins to reveal the next president of Ireland.

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

Election Highlights and Contender Positions

Throughout the election race, Powell frequently mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a closing statement to supporters, she appeared to criticise a top-down culture within government, stating that unquestioning compliance was a failure of responsibility.

Should Powell wins, the result is expected to be seen as a rebuke to Keir Starmer's leadership from Labour members.

Keir Starmer has recently endured a challenging week, marked by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a defeat in the Welsh assembly by-election in the Caerphilly seat.

The party's difficulties in the polls have led to doubts among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.

Powell has stressed that she aims to support the PM and administration to succeed but also told followers the Labour must change how it operates to improve the situation.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as Number 10's preferred candidate, has highlighted unity, cautioning that choosing her rival would result in party disputes and divisions that could return the party back to opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade savers to invest in stocks but could push up mortgage costs, MPs have cautioned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in next May’s council elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have stated, after the party suffered a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP sent a witness statement by the security official involved in a dispute over the collapse of a case against two UK nationals accused of espionage for China.

The outcome of the deputy leadership election is expected to be announced at 10am BST.