Tower Block of Commons

[mateykatie]

Did anyone else watch it?

It was hilarious, cringeworthy, depressing but still informative. Excellent TV.

[WetAugust]

Yes - I saw it.

Very very disappointed at Austin Mitchell. He was the most aloof of all the MPs - even IDS gave it a (short) go.

The Conservative and Liberal (Oaten) were comendable and entered into it but Mitchell just wanted to distance himself from the whole thing.

[mateykatie]

Yes, I couldn't believe Austin Mitchell brought his wife along, and then went to that dinner party! What a prat.

Was very impressed by Tim Loughton, who I hadn't heard of before - especially his dancing

Mark Oaten too. He was very brave to do this after what he has been through. A very ropey start, with him breaking down in tears - but he was really impressive once he started organising petitions. Though I was a bit confused when he said to the ex-Labour BNP voter that he had to "investigate whether the BNP were racist or not"! Maybe I misheard?

[AccioPinotGrigio]

Very poor show from Austin Mitchell. I have no idea what he thought he was doing. All his attitudes and decisions (must have own flat, must have wife, taking off to a dinner party) demonstrated a lack of interest and very poor judgement. Still there is another episode so he may redeem himself.

Mark Oaten was great. But it is worrying that concerned and sensitive MPs like him have no idea of the housing conditions some council tenants have to endure. The damp in his host's bathroom was appalling but, sadly, not that unusual.

[scarletlilybug]

"even IDS gave it a (short) go".

Wife being diagnosed with cancer not really a good enough reason for him going home, then?

IDS is the founder of the Centre for Social Justice "an independent think tank established... in 2004, to seek effective solutions to the poverty that blight parts of Britain." This is very much his area of interest - I think it is unfair to insinuate that he somehow sneaked off home early because he couldn't hack it.

[scarletlilybug]

Agree about how appallingly out of touch the Labour MP, Austen Mitchell was. Seemed to treat the whole thing as abit of a joke with his silly voices. The others seemed to be doing ok - will be interested to watch again next week.

[Cheappinkfizz]

I loved the glances to camera and looks of disbelief by their hosts. You could see they were thinking "you really don't have a fucking clue" but didn't want to say it.

It will be interesting to see how they get on next week.

[rubyslippers]

i watched it

i thought it was interesting ... but not sure what it was telling us though

don;t know whether to be amazed or horrified that the MPs seemed to be surprised at the living conditions

will watch next week

[SexyDomesticatedDad]

Its interesting - these sort of 'back to the floor' type programmes are very revealing. I'd agree Austin M is a waste of space in this - either get with the programme or don't go on it - maybe they couldn't find any other willing Labour MPs???????

Its one thing to read about other peoples lives but another to really live through them. Maybe ALL MPs should have to have periods where they have to actually live somewhere else, go through a 'system' (like say applying for housing) to see how good / effective these really are. Example in the film with AM was that all the flats are up to standard according to HA but reality is diferent - so who's kidding who??

[ProfYaffle]

dh and I said similar, living on a council estate for a week should be part of an MP's induction programme.

I was so disappointed in Austin. At the beginning he mentioned something about being from a council estate and that he was 'quite looking forward' to getting back to one. imho he was trying to be all casual about it (silly voices, 'jokes', newspapers) to show how at home he was in that environment, while actually doing the oppositve.

[mateykatie]

I think tonight's episode proves that political parties have very little to do with the worth of an MP.

Tim Loughton and Mark Oaten are both excellent, they both actually care.

Nadine Dorries and Austin Mitchell are both jawdroppingly crap. Dorries is as thick as two short planks, and Mitchell is generally horrifying.

I was when Austin Mitchell refused to change the nappy, because it was "woman's work". And Nadine Dorries pulling £50 out of her bra!!

At the same time, I was even more impressed with Tim Loughton than I was last week. I think I am developing a bit of a crush on him

[Strawbezza]

Just watched this week's episode. Shocked at Austin Mitchell's 'oh, I don't need to try and live on £5 a day' and not knowing the price of anything because 'that's women's business anyway'.

Totally silly of Nadine Dorries to bring the secret £50, she didn't convince me with her 'oh it was for presents for the kids' line either. To her credit she did well with cooking the meal for 10 under budget, they seemed to like it anyway.

Tim Loughton & Mark Oaten both came over very well, genuinely doing their bit, trying to help and listening.

The unemployed chef from Hull looks very employable. The cannabis user from B'ham doesn't. And £42 a week on cigs needs no further comment really.