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Labour is set to declare its fresh deputy leader today, with polling data suggesting Lucy Powell in front of the education secretary as voting concluded on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Here is the political timeline for today, according to the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in London. Speeches are anticipated following the announcement from the victor and the PM.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from rival factions are likely to descend on different sides of the capital after police prohibited Ukip supporters from gathering in Whitechapel due to fears of public unrest.
• Saturday: Counting starts to determine the next president of the Irish Republic.

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

Campaign Key Points and Candidate Stances

During the election race, Lucy Powell often referred to mistakes made by the party on matters such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to backers, she appeared to criticise a top-down approach within the administration, arguing that unquestioning compliance was a dereliction of responsibility.

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

The prime minister has recently endured a challenging period, dominated by a dispute over the grooming gangs investigation and a loss in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have sparked doubts among MPs about the leader's position.

Lucy Powell has stressed that she aims to support the PM and administration to prosper but also informed supporters the Labour must change how it operates to turn things around.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, seen as Number 10's preferred candidate, has stressed cohesion, warning that voting for her opponent would result in internal debate and divisions that could lead the Labour back to opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not encourage investors to switch to shares but could push up home loan rates, lawmakers have warned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in the upcoming local elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, MPs have said, after the party experienced a significant loss in Wales.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP provided a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser involved in a controversy over the collapse of a legal case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

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