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The Labour Party is set to announce its fresh deputy chief today, with surveys pointing to the Manchester Central MP leading the education secretary as voting concluded on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

Here is the politics timeline for today, based on the PA news agency:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in London. Addresses are expected afterwards from the victor and the PM.
• 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from rival factions are expected to gather in separate areas of London after authorities prohibited Ukip activists from assembling in an East London area due to concerns of serious disorder.
• Today: Counting begins to reveal the next president of the Irish Republic.

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

Campaign Key Points and Candidate Positions

During the campaign, Powell often referred to errors made by the party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, 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 outcome is expected to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's governance from Labour 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 Caerphilly.

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

Powell has stressed that she wants to support the PM and administration to succeed but also informed followers the party must change how it functions to turn things around.

In contrast, Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has stressed unity, warning that choosing her opponent would result in party disputes and divisions that could lead the party back to opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not encourage investors to invest in stocks but could push up home loan rates, MPs have warned the chancellor.
• A heavy defeat for Labour in next May’s council elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, MPs have stated, after the party experienced a significant loss in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician sent a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a controversy over the dismissal of a legal case against two British men accused of spying for China.

The result of the deputy leader contest is scheduled to be announced at 10am BST.