Who’s the toff now?

Last night’s Tower Block of Commons aired 9pm on Channel 4, was any eye opener on so many levels. The reality show sent four MPs to a selection of depressed estates around the country so they can experience first hand how the other half lives.

The episode followed Tory MPs Tim Loughton and Iain Duncan Smith, LibDem MP Mark Oaten and Labour’s Austin Mitchell. They were each sent to a different estate in a different part of the country; similar to ‘Wife Swap’ they were expected to live by their host’s rules. For Laughton, IDS and Oaten their host’s front room became their new home. They each – albeit reluctantly – handed over their cash, wallets and House of Commons attire ‘suits, shit and ties’. In return they were given suitable cloth to wear around the estate and a sofa, or a blow out bed to sleep in for the duration of their stay.

But not Austin Mitchell – who according to him, he can not even boil an egg- who insisted on staying in his own private accommodations accompanied by his wife so she can assist with his domestic and driving needs – he was the only MP who lived independent of his host, went out to catch up with old friends and enjoyed a relaxing evening meal with them.

Half way through the program IDS received distressing family news and had to cut his stay short. During his stay and while on a night out with his host he was confronted by very suggestive and somewhat explicit language and behaviour from some young ladies, his gracious non judgmental response, the manner and tact by which he handled himself and the situation, are clear prove why IDS is the Social Justice Guru.

In my opinion Mark Oaten has proved he is one gutsy man for taking part in the first place. He must have known before hand that the News of The World scandal was going to crop up somehow, and when it does it will open up old wounds for him and his family. Digs like ‘do you have AIDS’ which he encountered from a group of youngsters on a walk about was expected. Although in the face of it he handled the situation well, the strain was clear – but it also showed positively that he is only human. I also liked that he took action and put a petition together to help the residence of the estate find out whether their building will be demolished or not.

Unfortunately, on another encounter this time with a BNP supporter he totally lost the plot. The former Labour supporter said to Oaten; “I am not racist but I feel the BNP is the only party that gives a voice to white people like me in the country” – Oaten had nothing to counter that remark BUT promised to investigate if the BNP were a racist party or not!!! Then adding insult to injury he went on to admitting that he did not know how to refute or reply to such remark – and suggested that MPs should ‘always’ have a response ready for that kind of attack…you think!!!!!!

Austin Mitchell, on the other hand, from the start showed that he was not going to play by the rules – and brought his wife with him. The two of them lived on their own flat and he showed disapproving interest in what was going around him. At first I put it down to his age; at 75 it is very admirable that he is taking part in this project. His reaction to his host – a former heroin addict on methadone treatment, whom he accompanied to the clinic as per the program for her daily shot – lacked empathy and compassion to her plight. He came across as distasteful, and pompous. His wife – who admitted on national TV that she had a problem with prescription drugs – would have been more understanding and maybe she should have gone in his place.

The Tower Block of Commons star was defiantly Tory MP Tim Loughton; from the start he was very cooperative unafraid to try new and different things happily wore what his host picked for him and the following day negotiated to wear his own cloth. He prepared lunch for the whole family and showed clear interest in their lives – was happy to baby sit so the young mother can have a night out with friends – on another evening Tim went out clubbing with his host and showed that he was eager to learn and understand a life different to his. He was once ambushed about the expenses scandal – he did what any person will do when being a member of a tarred group – apologized.

For his dancing moves and rhythm Tim should be applauded, for presenting his party in a positive light he is a champion. By comparison Austin Mitchell was a bigger toff than any Tory I know – and I know a lot of Tories!