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The Labour Party is ready to reveal its fresh deputy leader this Saturday, with polling data pointing to the Manchester Central MP leading Bridget Phillipson as voting concluded on Thursday.

Today's Schedule of Events

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

• 10am: The party's deputy chief will be announced in central London. Speeches are anticipated following the announcement from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1pm: Protesters from rival factions are expected to gather in separate areas of the capital after police banned Ukip supporters from gathering in an East London area due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Saturday: Counting begins to determine the next president of the Irish Republic.

Additionally, the Epping Forest MP Conservative MP Neil Hudson is conducting the media interviews for the Conservatives.

Campaign Highlights and Candidate Stances

During the election race, Lucy Powell often mentioned mistakes made by the Labour Party on matters such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she appeared to criticise a top-down culture within government, arguing that unquestioning compliance was a failure of duty.

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

The prime minister has already endured a challenging week, marked by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a defeat in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

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

Powell has stressed that she aims to help Keir and our government to prosper but also informed followers the Labour must change how it operates to turn things around.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, seen as Number 10's favored choice, has highlighted unity, cautioning that choosing her rival would result in internal debate and splits that could return the Labour back to being in opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not encourage investors to switch to shares but could increase mortgage costs, lawmakers have warned the finance minister.
• A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in next May’s local elections could spell the end of Starmer's leadership, MPs have stated, after the Labour experienced a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• The former prime minister was the only politician sent a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a dispute over the dismissal of a legal case against two British men accused of espionage for China.

The result of the deputy leader contest is expected to be declared at 10am BST.