🔗 Share this article

Labour is poised to reveal its new deputy leader today, with polling data pointing to the Manchester Central MP in front of Bridget Phillipson as voting closed on Thursday.

The Day's Political Agenda

Below is the politics agenda for today, according to the PA news agency:

• 10am: The party's deputy chief will be announced in London. Speeches are anticipated afterwards from the victor and the prime minister.
• 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from opposing groups are expected to descend on different sides of London after authorities prohibited Ukip activists from assembling in Whitechapel due to fears of public unrest.
• Today: Vote counting begins to determine the new head of state of Ireland.

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

Election Highlights and Candidate Stances

During the election race, Lucy Powell frequently referred to errors made by the party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to supporters, she appeared to criticise a command and control approach within the administration, arguing that unquestioning compliance was a dereliction of responsibility.

If Powell wins, the outcome is likely to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's governance from party members.

The prime minister has already endured a challenging period, dominated 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 led to doubts among MPs about the leader's position.

Powell has stressed that she aims to support the PM and administration to prosper but also informed supporters the party needs to adapt how it operates to turn things around.

In contrast, Bridget Phillipson, seen as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has highlighted cohesion, warning that choosing her opponent would result in party disputes and divisions that could return the Labour back to being in opposition.

Additional Political Headlines

• Reducing the annual cash Isa allowance may not persuade investors to invest in stocks but could push up home loan rates, MPs have cautioned the finance minister.
• A wipeout for Labour in the upcoming local elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, MPs have stated, after the Labour suffered a crushing defeat in its Welsh heartland.
• Rishi Sunak was the sole MP provided a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a dispute over the collapse of a case against two British men accused of espionage for China.

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