The Labour Party's New Deputy Chief to Be Declared Today
Labour is poised to announce its new deputy chief today, with polling data indicating Lucy Powell ahead of the education secretary as balloting ended on Thursday.
Today's Political Agenda
Below is the political schedule for today, based on the PA news agency:
- 10:00 AM: The party's deputy chief is set to be revealed in London. Speeches are expected following the announcement from the winner and the PM.
- 1:00 PM: Demonstrators from opposing groups are expected to gather in separate areas of London after police banned Ukip activists from gathering in an East London area due to concerns of serious disorder.
- Today: Counting begins to determine the new head of state of the Irish Republic.
Additionally, the Epping Forest MP Neil Hudson is on the media interviews for the Conservatives.
Campaign Highlights and Candidate Stances
During the election race, Lucy Powell frequently referred to errors made by the party on issues such as the winter fuel allowance. In a final message to supporters, she appeared to criticise a top-down approach within the administration, arguing that unquestioning compliance was a dereliction of responsibility.
Should Powell does emerge victorious, the outcome is expected to be seen as a criticism to the prime minister's leadership from party members.
The prime minister has already faced a challenging period, marked by a row over the grooming gangs investigation and a defeat in the Welsh assembly by-election in Caerphilly.
Labour’s struggles in the polls have led to questions among backbenchers about Starmer’s leadership.
Powell has emphasized that she wants to support the PM and administration to succeed but also informed supporters the party must change how it functions to turn things around.
Meanwhile, Bridget Phillipson, seen as Number 10's preferred candidate, has highlighted cohesion, warning that voting for her rival would result in internal debate and splits that could lead the party back to being in opposition.
Additional Political Headlines
- Cutting the cash Isa limit may not persuade savers to invest in stocks but could push up home loan rates, lawmakers have cautioned the finance minister.
- A heavy defeat for the Labour Party in next May’s local elections could spell the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership, parliamentarians have said, after the party suffered a significant loss in Wales.
- The former prime minister was the sole MP provided a witness statement by the deputy national security adviser involved in a dispute over the collapse of a case against two British men accused of spying for China.
The outcome of the deputy leadership election is expected to be announced at 10am BST.