Pop Idol set for politics?

Pop Idol set for politics?

Pop Idol is providing the model for the new game show

Television viewers are set to get the chance to put up their own candidate at the next parliamentary by-election in the latest game show, say reports.

ITV is planning to add to the ranks of "reality" television shows with Vote For Me - bringing the Pop Idol model to politics, according to the Sunday Times.

Some political commentators have suggested Westminster has important lessons to learn from shows like Big Brother, which attracted millions of votes.

If the new shows go ahead, that idea will be put directly to the test, with the winner standing as an independent when the next seat in Parliament becomes vacant.

A similar show, called The People's Candidate, has proved a hit in Argentina, where economic disarray has bred much disillusionment with mainstream politicians.

If the first series in the UK is successful, there are apparently plans for a second contest, with the winners pitched against Tony Blair, Iain Duncan Smith and Charles Kennedy in a general election.

Getting involved

The Sunday Times says early negotiations are under way for the screening the new format.

Steve Anderson, the senior ITV executive involved in the talks, told the newspaper he was not trying to bring politics into disrepute.

If they can't hold the interest of the panel, they simply won't make the grade

Stephen Leahy
Ludus Entertainment

He said: "Politicians are forever demanding that we do more to involve people in politics. We are all trying to find the grail of an accessible political programme."

Ludus Entertainment is the company working on putting on the new-look game show.

Its chairman, Stephen Leahy, told the newspaper that the first auditions for the programme would see candidates making a three-minute presentation about their ideas to a panel.

"If they can't hold the interest of the panel, they simply won't make the grade," said Mr Leahy, who earlier this year lined up former royal butler Paul Burrell to host a US game show.

Election rules

Former cabinet ministers Mo Mowlam and Norman Tebbit were among the political names Mr Leahy said he might want on the judging panel.

As the series went on, candidates would have to go the rounds with a serious political interviewer and take questions from a studio audience.

Before a candidate chosen by television viewers is tested at the ballot box, watchdog the Electoral Commission will have to vet the process.

There are strict rules which restrict the amount which can be spent on a candidate's campaign.

And broadcasters have to give impartial coverage of elections.

There could also be a problem that the contest takes place long before a by-election happens, leaving the winner languishing out of the headlines for possibly months.