The Labour Party's New Deputy Chief to Be Revealed This Saturday
The Labour Party is set to reveal its fresh deputy leader this Saturday, with polling data suggesting Lucy Powell ahead of the education secretary as balloting concluded on the previous Thursday.
Today's Schedule of Events
Presented is the political timeline for Saturday, according to the PA news agency:
- 10am: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in London. Addresses are anticipated afterwards from the victor and the PM.
- 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from opposing groups are likely to descend on separate areas of London after authorities banned Ukip activists from assembling in Whitechapel due to concerns of public unrest.
- Today: Counting starts to determine the next president of the Irish Republic.
Meanwhile, the Epping Forest MP Neil Hudson is on the media interviews for the Tory party.
Campaign Highlights and Candidate Stances
During the campaign, Powell often referred to mistakes made by the party on issues such as the winter heating payments. In a final message to backers, she seemed to question a command and control approach within the administration, arguing that unquestioning compliance was a failure of responsibility.
If Powell wins, the outcome is likely to be seen as a rebuke to the prime minister's governance from Labour members.
Keir Starmer has recently endured a challenging period, marked by a dispute over the grooming gangs inquiry and a loss in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.
The party's difficulties 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 informed followers the party needs to adapt how it operates to turn things around.
Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, regarded as the prime minister's preferred candidate, has highlighted cohesion, warning that choosing her rival would result in internal debate and splits that could lead the party back to opposition.
Additional News Highlights
- Cutting the cash Isa limit may not persuade investors to switch to shares but could push up mortgage costs, MPs have warned the chancellor.
- A heavy defeat for Labour in the upcoming council elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have said, after the party experienced a significant loss in Wales.
- The former prime minister was the only politician provided a testimonial by the deputy national security adviser involved in a controversy over the collapse of a case against two UK nationals accused of spying for China.
The outcome of the deputy leadership election is expected to be announced at 10am BST.