Let the battle for No 10 commence in C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Election – from 4.35pm, Thursday 16 October 2008 on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One
Introduction
If you ruled the world what would you do? Eliminate knife crime? Ensure everyone has clean drinking water? Or give every child a bicycle?
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Welcome to Election: C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's dynamic new political reality TV series and definitive leadership challenge for 11 to 14 year olds.
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This is the show that puts young people in the hot seat to win the ultimate opportunity to present their manifesto to the Prime Minister at Number 10.
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Hundreds of children from across the country auditioned to get in but only the elite make it through to the Election Leadership House where their campaigns for Number 10 will get underway.
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Week by week they face a gruelling set of challenges designed to test their leadership potential to the max.
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Each challenge will be prefaced with a Test of Skills, a "warm up" exercise set by a well-known guest mentor who will guide and mould them in their race for a place in a final.
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The mentors include The Apprentice's Michelle Dewberry, Ken Livingstone, Ann Widdecombe, Vince Cable, Peter Tatchell and Ladette To Lady's Liz Brewer.
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Once they've completed the Test of Skills, they will then undertake the weekly Election Leadership Challenge which will test their skills in the likes of public speaking, recruiting people to their cause, diplomacy, debating, media skills and campaigning.
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They will be judged by a panel of experts on their abilities to adapt, learn and win over their audience.
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Host Angellica Bell will be there to guide them through the experience, celebrate their successes and be a shoulder to cry on for those who fall along the way.
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Standing in their way is one man: Mr Jonathan Dimbleby.
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One of the most experienced political reporters and commentators in the world, Jonathan has grilled the globe's greatest leaders.
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As judge of Election, each week he will decide who should leave the competition with the pronouncement: "Your campaign is over."
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Gradually through the weeks, the weakest will be eliminated, leaving two finalists to battle it out at the dispatch box, presenting their manifestos in Parliament.
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Jonathan Dimbleby said: "I was struck by the passion that all the contestants had, by their speed of thought and their real sense of leadership.
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"They were so mature that I found myself treating them as peers rather than children – which sometimes meant that after filming I would worry I had been too tough. But they were able to handle anything.
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"It has been one of the most stimulating experiences of my career – and the great delight was the contestants' total absence of cynicism.
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"The belief they can really do good things that serve all of us is a refreshing antidote to the many jaded politicians I have interviewed over the years."
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So, tune in to witness the celebrations and laughter, the tears and the teamwork as they battle it out for the ultimate accolade of Election.
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Election will broadcast on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One from Thursday 16ÌýOctober 2008 at 4.35pm.
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The series is made by Diverse Production, a Zodiak Television Company, for C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ.
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