Channel 4 has commissioned a new competitive format, Make Me Prime Minister from Twofour, AOP, and Motion Content Group.
The six-part series will follow 12 ordinary yet opinionated Brits with views from across the political spectrum, in a contest to see what it really takes to operate in the cutthroat world of politics.
Make Me Prime Minister will follow the ambitious candidates on the campaign trail. They will be put through their paces in a series of prime ministerial style tasks designed to test their leadership skills, resilience, and integrity. These weekly group challenges will be set and adjudicated by Alastair Campbell and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, two political heavyweights who know exactly what it takes to succeed in office.
Alastair Campbell:
“Done properly, being Prime Minister is about a tough a job as anyone can do. It is great that so many people think they can do it and I am looking forward to working with Sayeeda Warsi to guide and challenge them to see if they really have what it takes. Fair to say politics is in a bit of a mess right now and I hope not only that some genuine political talent emerges through the series but also that it might inspire the watching public to get more engaged in politics and get properly involved.”
During the competition, candidates will face the pressures, challenges, and accountability of being in power. From handling diplomatic crises to avoiding domestic gaffes, every move will be scrutinised by Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Alastair Campbell, and the watching media. Can candidates avert triggering an international crisis by carefully negotiating with an enemy of the country?
Will they be able to explain their new education policy to a group of 5-year-olds? How will they cope with being grilled by one of the country’s top journalists with only minutes to prepare?
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi:
“Serving as Chairman of the Conservative Party and a Cabinet minister in a coalition government, I was convinced values and ethics matter as much as political ideology. So Alastair Campbell and I are putting aside our political differences to focus on what it takes to lead. I hope we can inspire a new generation of passionate voters and politicians.”
In order to keep their campaign hopes alive and make it through the weekly vote, each candidate will need to persuade and convince former politicians, experienced journalists and most importantly the public, that they have the charisma, vision, and political acumen to lead. Across the series the candidates will be whittled down until just one secures victory to be crowned Channel 4’s Alternative Prime Minister.
Phil Harris, Head of Entertainment and Events at Channel 4:
“We usually tackle politics through our studio-based satire. Now we are injecting some of that attitude to an innovative new competition series that has purpose, scale and humour. Make Me Prime Minister will give real people the chance to prove their leadership credentials. We’re excited to be jumping on the political bandwagon with Twofour, Motion Content Group and AOP.”
