Speechwriters have a difficult task.
Not only have they got to write compelling speeches, they also have to hope that their speakers will have the ability to deliver the speech effectively.
They like writing for charismatic personalities who enjoy using humour and want to connect emotionally with an audience.
They have a vested interest in helping the best performers get to the top.
William Hague first became famous when he made a political conference speech aged 16.
Liz Truss gave her first speech at the LibDem conference in her late teens.
William Pitt the Younger became Prime Minister aged 24.
How can we renew our democracy when it is dominated by the ideas and perspectives of the old?
How can we create a platform where the charismatic young leaders of the future will emerge?
The England cricket team once had a campaign to find tall and strong young men who could become the fast bowlers of the future.
Why can’t we do the same for our political leaders?
The talent of characters like Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Rory Stewart emerged at a young age because they had opportunities to perform.
This autumn the Carnival of Alternative Politics in Bournemouth will host an open competition to uncover the leadership talent for the future.
The Sword in the Stone Speaking competition will give 12 young people a chance to articulate their ideas and experiences and make pitch to be a young King Arthur to rescue a country in disarray.
Can you orate like a young Obama? Do you burn with passion over a particular issue like Greta Thunberg? Or can you deliver a calm and deliberate speech like Malala?
We’re looking for a vision that shows imagination, courage, original thinking, humour and hope.
There’s no debating, no cross examination just your articulated thoughts shared with the audience.
Anyone twenty-one or younger on 1 September 2026 is eligible to send in a short introduction to their achievements so far, followed by a political vision for the future.
These will be reviewed by a panel of judges from the UK Speechwriters’ Guild.
The 12 winning entrants, (the same number as the Knights of the Round Table), will come to Bournemouth on Saturday 26 September to take part in a ceremony at the Carnival of Alternative Politics.
And each will have their moment to deliver their vision.
They will put on a cape, draw the sword from a stone and introduce themselves to the audience in no longer than 90 seconds.
After that, they will be invited to give a three-minute speech outlining ‘The Adult World I Want to Live In’.
This winner will be chosen by a vote by a secret ballot of the audience members.
To enter the competition you need to send in your personal introduction (no more than 220 words) and your ideas for the future of the country (no more than 360 words) by Friday 11 September 2026.
You can send a link to a video of your presentations or you can submit your entries in a written email.
It costs £20 to enter.
Every entrant will get a short evaluation of their speech from a professional speechwriter whether they get through to the final 12 or not.
In return, every entrant will get free admission to the Carnival for all of the talks on Saturday 26 September at the Freemasons’ Hall in Bournemouth.
We will be discussing the future of student loans and the changes required in the university system at the conference.
The winner will be crowned as the Young King Arthur 2026 (and in the best modern theatrical traditions, Arthur can be a young man or woman).
Watch a clip of our first Sword in the Stone competition in February here:
Send your entries to info [at] carnivalofpolitics.org
The nominated ‘Knights’ will be informed by Thursday 16 September of their participation in the competition.
You can call +44 7545 232980 for more details.