With the new documentary the Tower Block of Commons, due to be broadcast on Channel 4 on Monday at 9.00pm, I spoke to three of the MPs involved. Here is what Nadine Dorries MP for Mid Bedfordshire had to say on her experiences of living in a council tower block for eight days with her host residents.
Why did you decide to take part?
I took part because as legislators, it’s really important that we understand just who it is we are legislating for. Also I grew up on a council estate and I wanted to know, was life still the same?
What was the biggest shock for you?
The fact that I met three mums in two days who had lost their sons though stabbings. This was commonplace on the estate, so commonplace, it’s not even reported on any more.
What do you think the residents made of you?
I spent my time with a number of people and families and honestly, I have no idea what they thought of me. I did my best and tried to help as much as I could. My instinct was to get my sleeves rolled up and get stuck in. I think I really managed this with better than I could have hoped for success in episode four as David Cameron joined me during this shoot, in my office, I hasten to add.
What have you taken away from the experience?
I took away with me a depth of knowledge I could not have gained through reading a paper or a book. I will always think of the people we met when I am voting and wonder how my vote, how that piece of legislation will impact upon the lives of the people I met.
Do you think the residents learned anything from you?
I wouldn’t want to assume that the residents learnt anything from me. However, I hope that one young mum believed me when I persuaded her that her lot in life was meant to be better and that only she could change things. We discussed the options and I have put things in place and facilitated a process whereby she can begin to look to the future for her and her family.
Have you stayed in touch with your host?
I keep in touch with one of the young boys I met by text and phone almost every day. He’s at a very crucial stage in terms of what I was trying to achieve for him and so I will remain in touch with him for quite some time.
After this experience would you say we lived in a ‘broken Britain’?
I am more than ever convinced that Britain is broken because on my estate growing up we had dads and there were no guns, knives, drugs and the police had authority. However on the estate I spent time in the opposite was the case in each instance.
Tomorrow: Tim Loughton MP