ITV unveils search for 'Parliament Idol'

Friday, 16 April 2004 12:00 AM

ITV has announced that it is launching a UK-wide talent contest to find a member of the public to stand for Parliament.

Vote For Me, a Pop Idol-style show, will see contestants take part in a series of televised challenges, such as mock hustings, judged by an independent panel led by former ITV political editor John Sergeant. Each contestant will have to produce a manifesto and "audition" in front of the panel.

The programme's producers are searching for volunteer entrants from among the UK's eligible voters. Applicants must have no affiliation with any party that qualifies for party election broadcasts and the eventual winner is free to stand as a candidate in any one of the United Kingdom's 659 constituencies.

The winner of the show, presented by Jonathan Maitland, will be chosen by viewers from a shortlist of ten. Viewers will be asked to vote off contestants at the end of each programme, leaving a winner who will then stand as a prospective independent MP at the next General Election.

Steve Anderson, ITV's controller of current affairs, insists that the programme is a serious attempt to address the current political apathy "crisis" and claims to have written to the political parties telling them about the programme.

Presenter Mr Maitland told BBC Radio 4's PM: "We want people who have been interested in politics but haven't done anything about it until now to come forward and see if they've got what it takes to be an MP."

He said the show was looking for a winner that would appeal to young voters.

ITV will not fund the winner's eventual campaign and it will be left to them to decide which constituency to stand for.

Newspaper advertisements will be placed for Vote For Me contestants from next week and the programme will have a website. Auditions will be held across the UK and prospective contestants will be quizzed on their beliefs and judged on their TV performance.

The programme will be broadcast early next year, ahead of the expected date of the next general election in May 2005.

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