BBC to search for budding leaders

The BBC is to embark on a nationwide search to find Britain's potential Prime Ministers of the future.

Ten children from across the UK will undergo a series of leadership tests and tasks in the new political reality TV series for CBBC, called Election.

The series will culminate in a face-off between the two finalists at the House of Commons.

CBBC presenter Angellica Bell will host the series, with political presenter Jonathan Dimbleby as head judge.

Over the course of 10 programmes, the participants, aged between 11 and 14, will be eliminated one by one until there is a winner.

"We hope that Election will help engage young people with politics"
CBBC controller Anne Gilchrist

Executive producer Matt Paice said: "Britain's young people don't get much good press. In this series, 10 of the brightest and best are given the chance to prove they are worthy leaders.

"This next generation of political hotshots shows the rest of us their passion for changing Britain for the better."

Every episode, the group will be set a series of character-revealing exercises.

Mentors

The challenges will explore the skills needed to perform like a great modern politician including public speaking, recruiting people to their cause, diplomacy, debating, media skills and campaigning.

They will be set by guest mentors including Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry, ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone, Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe and Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrats' deputy leader.

Their efforts will then be judged by a group of experts before one person is eliminated by Dimbleby.

CBBC controller Anne Gilchrist said: "We hope that Election will help engage young people with politics.

"Not in a party political sense but by helping them see for themselves what it takes to be a great leader and how it is possible to change and influence the world around them."

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