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The Labour Party is ready to announce its new deputy leader this Saturday, with surveys pointing to the Manchester Central MP in front of the education secretary as voting closed on the previous Thursday.

The Day's Schedule of Events

Below is the politics timeline for Saturday, according to the PA news agency:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in central London. Addresses are anticipated following the announcement from the winner and the PM.
• 1pm: Protesters from opposing groups are likely to gather in separate areas of London after police banned Ukip activists from gathering in Whitechapel due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Today: Counting begins to determine the next president of the Irish Republic.

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

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Positions

Throughout the campaign, Powell often mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to backers, she appeared to criticise a command and control approach within the administration, stating that unquestioning compliance was a failure of duty.

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

The prime minister has already endured a challenging week, marked 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 questions among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.

Powell has stressed that she wants to help Keir and our government to prosper but also told supporters the Labour needs to adapt how it operates to turn things around.

In contrast, Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's favored choice, has highlighted cohesion, cautioning that choosing her rival would result in internal debate and divisions that could lead the Labour back to opposition.

Other News Highlights

• Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade investors to invest in stocks but could push up mortgage costs, lawmakers have warned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in the upcoming local elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, parliamentarians have stated, after the Labour experienced a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP sent a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser involved in a controversy over the dismissal of a legal case against two British men alleged of espionage for China.

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