🔗 Share this article

The Labour Party is poised to reveal its fresh deputy chief today, with polling data indicating Lucy Powell leading the education secretary as balloting closed on Thursday.

Today's Political Agenda

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

• 10:00 AM: Labour’s new deputy leader is set to be revealed in central London. Speeches are expected afterwards from the winner and the PM.
• 1pm: Demonstrators from rival factions are likely to descend on different sides of London after authorities prohibited Ukip supporters from assembling in Whitechapel due to concerns of public unrest.
• Today: Counting starts to reveal the next president of Ireland.

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

Campaign Key Points and Contender Positions

Throughout the campaign, Lucy Powell often referred to errors made by the party on matters such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she seemed to question a command and control approach within government, arguing that unquestioning compliance was a dereliction of responsibility.

Should Powell wins, the result is expected to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's governance from party members.

The prime minister has already faced a difficult period, marked by a dispute over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

The party's difficulties in the opinion polls have led to questions among MPs about Starmer’s leadership.

Lucy Powell has emphasized that she aims to support the PM and administration to prosper but also informed supporters the party needs to adapt how it functions to improve the situation.

In contrast, Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has stressed cohesion, cautioning that choosing her opponent would result in internal debate and divisions that could return the party back to being in opposition.

Additional News Highlights

• Cutting the cash Isa limit may not encourage savers to switch to shares but could push up mortgage costs, lawmakers have warned the chancellor.
• A wipeout for Labour in next May’s council elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, MPs have stated, after the party suffered a significant loss in Wales.
• The former prime minister was the sole MP sent a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a dispute over the collapse of a case against two British men alleged of spying for China.

The result of the deputy leadership election is scheduled to be declared at 10am BST.