🔗 Share this article

Labour is poised to announce its fresh deputy chief today, with polling data pointing to Lucy Powell in front of the education secretary as balloting ended on the previous Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

Presented is the politics schedule for today, according to the news schedule:

• 10am: Labour’s new deputy leader will be announced in central London. Speeches are expected following the announcement from the winner and the prime minister.
• 1pm: Protesters from opposing groups are expected to gather in different sides of the capital after police banned Ukip activists from gathering in Whitechapel due to concerns of public unrest.
• Today: Counting begins to determine the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

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

Election Highlights and Candidate Stances

During the campaign, Lucy Powell often referred to errors made by the party on matters such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to supporters, she appeared to criticise a top-down approach within the administration, stating that blindly following along was a failure of duty.

If Powell does emerge victorious, the result is likely to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's governance from party members.

The prime minister has recently endured a difficult week, marked by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a loss in the Senedd byelection in the Caerphilly seat.

Labour’s struggles in the polls have led to questions among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.

Powell has stressed that she aims to support the PM and administration to succeed but also told supporters the Labour needs to adapt how it functions to turn things around.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as Number 10's favored choice, has stressed cohesion, warning that voting for her rival would result in internal debate and divisions that could return the Labour back to being in opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Reducing the cash Isa limit may not persuade savers to switch to shares but could increase mortgage costs, lawmakers have cautioned the finance minister.
• A wipeout for the Labour Party in the upcoming council elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, MPs have stated, after the party experienced a crushing defeat in Wales.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP sent a testimonial by the security official involved in a controversy over the dismissal of a case against two British men accused of spying for China.

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