🔗 Share this article

The Labour Party is ready to reveal its fresh deputy chief this Saturday, with polling data suggesting Lucy Powell in front of Bridget Phillipson as voting closed on Thursday.

Today's Schedule of Events

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

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in London. Addresses are anticipated afterwards from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from rival factions are likely to descend on different sides of the capital after police banned Ukip supporters from gathering in Whitechapel due to fears of serious disorder.
• Saturday: Counting begins to reveal the next president of Ireland.

Additionally, Epping Forest MP Conservative MP Neil Hudson is on the morning media rounds for the Conservatives.

Campaign Highlights and Contender Positions

Throughout the election race, Lucy Powell often referred to errors made by the Labour Party on matters 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 unquestioning compliance was a failure of responsibility.

If Powell does emerge victorious, the outcome is likely to be seen as a criticism to Keir Starmer's governance from Labour members.

The prime minister has recently faced a challenging week, marked by a row over the grooming gangs inquiry and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in Caerphilly.

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

Powell has stressed that she aims to help Keir and our government to succeed but also informed supporters the Labour needs to adapt how it functions to turn things around.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has stressed cohesion, warning that voting for her opponent would result in party disputes and splits that could lead the party back to opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not encourage savers to invest in stocks but could push up mortgage costs, MPs have cautioned the finance minister.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in next May’s local elections could signal the termination of Keir Starmer’s premiership, MPs have stated, after the Labour suffered a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician sent a witness statement by the security official involved in a controversy over the dismissal of a case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.

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