The Labour Party is ready to declare its new deputy leader today, with polling data suggesting Lucy Powell ahead of the education secretary as voting closed on Thursday.
The Day's Schedule of Events
Below is the politics timeline for Saturday, based on the PA news agency:
- 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in London. Addresses are expected afterwards from the winner and the prime minister.
- 1pm: Protesters from rival factions are expected to descend on different sides of London after authorities prohibited Ukip activists from assembling in an East London area due to fears of serious disorder.
- Saturday: Vote counting begins to reveal the new head of state of Ireland.
Meanwhile, the Epping Forest MP Neil Hudson is on the media interviews for the Tory party.
Campaign Key Points and Candidate Stances
During the election race, Lucy Powell frequently mentioned errors made by the Labour Party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she seemed to question a command and control culture within government, stating that blindly following along was a dereliction of responsibility.
Should Powell wins, the result is likely to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's governance from party members.
Keir Starmer has recently faced a difficult week, marked by a row 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 sparked doubts among backbenchers about the leader's position.
Powell has emphasized that she aims to support the PM and administration to prosper but also informed supporters the party must change how it functions to improve the situation.
Meanwhile, Phillipson, seen as Number 10's favored choice, has stressed cohesion, cautioning that voting for her rival would result in internal debate and splits that could lead the Labour back to opposition.
Other Political Headlines
- Cutting the annual cash Isa allowance may not encourage savers to invest in stocks but could increase home loan rates, MPs have cautioned the chancellor.
- A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in the upcoming local elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, MPs have said, after the party suffered a significant loss in its Welsh heartland.
- The former prime minister was the only politician sent a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser implicated in a dispute over the dismissal of a case against two British men accused of spying for China.
The result of the deputy leadership election is expected to be announced at 10am BST.
