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The Labour Party is poised to declare its new deputy leader today, with polls indicating the Manchester Central MP leading the education secretary as voting concluded on the previous Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

Here is the politics agenda for today, based on the news schedule:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in London. Speeches are expected afterwards from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from rival factions are likely to descend on different sides of the capital after police prohibited Ukip supporters from gathering in an East London area due to fears of serious disorder.
• Today: Counting begins to reveal the next president of Ireland.

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

Election Key Points and Contender Stances

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

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

Keir Starmer has recently endured a challenging week, dominated by a dispute over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have led to doubts among backbenchers about the leader's position.

Powell has emphasized that she wants to support the PM and administration to prosper but also informed supporters the Labour needs to adapt how it functions to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's favored choice, has highlighted cohesion, cautioning that voting for her rival would result in internal debate and divisions that could lead the party back to being in opposition.

Other Political Headlines

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade investors to invest in stocks but could push up home loan rates, MPs have cautioned the chancellor.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in next May’s local elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, MPs have said, after the party experienced a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the security official involved in a dispute over the collapse of a legal case against two UK nationals accused of espionage for China.

The outcome of the deputy leader contest is expected to be announced at 10:00 AM British Summer Time.