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Labour is poised to announce its fresh deputy chief today, with surveys pointing to Lucy Powell leading the education secretary as voting concluded on the previous Thursday.

The Day's Schedule of Events

Below is the politics agenda for today, as per the PA news agency:

• 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief will be announced in central London. Addresses are anticipated afterwards from the winner and the PM.
• 1:00 PM: Protesters from opposing groups are expected to descend on different sides of the capital after police banned Ukip supporters from gathering in Whitechapel due to fears of public unrest.
• Today: Counting begins to determine the new head of state of the Irish Republic.

Meanwhile, the Epping Forest MP Neil Hudson is conducting the morning media rounds for the Conservatives.

Election Highlights and Candidate Positions

During the election race, Lucy Powell frequently referred to mistakes made by the 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, stating that blindly following along was a failure of responsibility.

Should Powell wins, the result is likely to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's governance from Labour members.

The prime minister has recently endured a difficult week, dominated by a dispute over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Welsh assembly by-election in the Caerphilly seat.

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

Lucy Powell has stressed that she wants to support the PM and administration to succeed but also told followers the Labour must change how it operates to turn things around.

Meanwhile, Phillipson, seen as Number 10's preferred candidate, has highlighted cohesion, warning that choosing her rival would result in party disputes and divisions that could lead the Labour back to being in opposition.

Other News Highlights

• Cutting the cash Isa limit may not persuade savers to invest in stocks but could push up mortgage costs, MPs have cautioned the finance minister.
• A wipeout for Labour in the upcoming council elections could signal the termination of Starmer's leadership, MPs have stated, after the party suffered a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the only politician provided a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a controversy over the dismissal of a case against two UK nationals alleged of spying for China.

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