Briefed only with an address, four MPs set out to see how the other half live in a new four-part series for Channel 4. Dispatched to different council estates across the country, Labour MP Austin Mitchell, Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten and Conservative MPs Tim Loughton and Iain Duncan Smith, who is later replaced by Nadine Dorries MP, are sent to experience life in council tower blocks for eight nights.

Although cynics among you may rightly ask how much somebody can learn about an alien way of life in eight days surrounded by a camera crew, these MPs do get stuck in.

In the first episode, broadcast on Monday, we watch as the four MPs are sent to their new homes for the next eight days. Mark Oaten, Tim Loughton and Iain Duncan Smith all seem to jump in with gusto – meeting their host families and swapping their designer suits, Oaten still wearing his Commons pass, for Primark t-shirts and Adidas hoodies. However, it is the Labour MP Austin Mitchell who is a little resistant, opting to live in a separate council flat with his wife rather than staying with local residents.

Mitchell also, instead of spending an evening with his first host decides to take his wife for dinner at a nearby friend’s house. Oaten meanwhile played bingo and Loughton went clubbing with his host.

Iain Duncan Smith was unfortunately only able to take part in the first day of filming as he had to return home due to his wife’s ill health. This is a real shame as he seemed one of the most passionate about the project. And the sight of the former Conservative Party leader in a hoodie joking with a group of young female residents about when he lost his virginity is the highlight of the show. However, Nadine Dorries is brought in over the next few episodes and I am sure she will be just as enthusiastic about the project.

All the MPs are shocked by the realities of everyday life on a council estate. Even Mitchell is astounded at just how rife the drug culture is when a morning stroll to the paper shop turns into a trip to the methadone drop-in centre.

These types of programmes are always going to border on the superficial but these MPs do get stuck in tackling drug and gang culture and trying to initiate a sense of community – Loughton hosts a community BBQ and football match and starts a local newsletter. Oaten even launches a petition to the council over the demolition of the tower blocks.

The MPs set out to educate themselves about the realities of living in a council tower block and they did just that. They discover what the real issues are for these people and what the residents would like done to improve their lives.

Interestingly the residents also benefitted as they were able to vent their anger, discuss issues that matter to them and engage in politics which many have never had the opportunity to do before. They also learnt about the role of an MP and were able to relate with each other.

Although Loughton and Dorries argue that their time in the tower block strengthened their belief in Broken Britain, all are optimistic about the future. If MPs and other politicians could really and genuinely engage with these people – instead of showing up for the 30 minute photo op – and restore trust and confidence, then these supposed ‘broken’ communities may start to re-engage with the rest of society and the political system.

I think that these MPs have shown that once the politicians take the first step then these communities will respond. Britain may be broken but it can still be fixed if the politicians are willing.

The Tower Block of Commons is on Channel 4 Monday at 9.00pm