TV & Showbiz

Viral star Jackie Weaver is going to attempt to be Prime Minister in a new Channel 4 series

'On the hunt for a member of the public who’d make a better PM than Johnson (narrows it down to about 60million)'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 24th August 2022

Internet sensation Jackie Weaver will attempt to take on the role of Prime Minister in a new Channel 4 reality series.

Make Me Prime Minister will challenge 12 ‘ordinary yet opinionated Brits’ to actually run the country, with the group heading out on the campaign trail.

Weekly group challenges will test their leadership skills, resilience and integrity – so we’ll finally see exactly how much authority Jackie does have.

Their political journey will be steered by Alistair Campbell and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi.

Alistair recently scathingly tweeted: “Back on the road with ⁦@SayeedaWarsi⁩ in the #MakeMePrimeMinister hunt for a member of the public who’d make a better PM than Johnson (narrows it down to about 60million).”

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The pair of political heavyweights will set a range of challenges from handling diplomatic crises to avoiding domestic gaffes, from explaining education policy to five-year-olds to being grilled by top journalists.

Candidates will be whittled down across the series through a weekly vote, before the final Channel 4 Alternative Prime Minister is crowned.

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Jackie Weaver will be promoted to ‘Prime Minister’ in a new Channel 4 series. Credit: Handforth Council (via YouTube – ma0sm)

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi said: “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.”

Alastair Campbell said: “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.

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“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.”

Phil Harris, head of entertainment and events at Channel 4 said: “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.”

Featured image: Channel 4