MP Austin Mitchell samples tower block life
AUSTIN Mitchell was thrust right back into the spotlight on Monday night in a Channel 4 documentary that saw a group of MPs swap their tailored suits, slap-up meals and the House of Commons for tracksuits and mould-ridden bathrooms in some of the UK's worst tower block flats.
Austin, who last week announced he had paid back £10,000 in mistakenly-claimed expenses on his second home mortgage, only agreed to take part in Tower Block Of Commons if he could have his own flat and take wife, Linda – recently diagnosed with breast cancer – with him.
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A scene from Channel 4's Tower Block Of Commons, featuring MP Austin Mitchell and his wife, Linda.
The other MPs stayed in the homes of selected tower block residents and lived exactly as they would.
Austin is being mentored by 29-year-old recovering heroin addict Selina, who lives in the same block on Hull's Orchard Park estate as the Mitchells' home for the four-part series.
During the first programme of the series, he experienced the inside of the estate's methadone dispensary during a trip out to buy the Daily Telegraph – and discovered his wife had been addicted to benzodiazepines when she was a young mother in her 30s.
Mr Mitchell, a 75-year-old Labour veteran who has represented Grimsby for 32 years, said it was a pleasure to get to know the people of Orchard Park.
HERE is a selection of your comments on the show:
AFTER watching Tower Block Of Commons on Channel 4 last night, I felt I must comment on the attempt by Mr and Mrs Austin Mitchell to convince their electorate they are in touch with reality.
What a joke! They couldn't even cook a meal. First they couldn't fetch their own takeaway and then they were invited out for a posh evening meal.
All Mr Mitchell was interested in was getting his copy of The Telegraph. Why didn't he read the Daily Sport or Mirror like the rest of Orchard Park?
To add insult to injury, they were not satisfied with the free furniture provided to the common tenants, but went out to get new, no doubt at further expense to the taxpayer?
If this was an attempt by the Government to deflect the public from the MPs expenses scandal, it went badly wrong. I hope the people of Grimsby saw through it, not to mention the residents of Orchard Park, Hull.
David Bartlett, North Ferriby. Also an ex-resident of Orchard Park Estate in the 60s
I THINK they came over as concerned people. Austin has campaigned for years for council tenants and the need for more council houses.
Demos, Grimsby
SURPRISE, suprise – Orchard Park means more to our MP than the West Marsh.
Pete, Grimsby
MITCHELL seemed to have no idea what happens in the real world. Hull has the same problems as Grimsby, so I would assume from this programme Mitchell has never interacted with local people and does not realise drugs are rife and lots of people live in appalling conditions.
Did he actually complete any of the challenges anyway? I'm guessing not.
Lesley, Clee
HE looked puzzled at the methadone treatment ... I had no idea ... he stuttered ... and then asked where his Telegraph was!
And this from a bloke who crows about his support and concern for the people of Grimsby? A town that is racked with heroin and other serious drug addiction.
Well, I for one wasn't surprised to see how false and out of touch he is. Thinly disguised disgust was evident on his face when he was "interacting" with the people he was with on the programme.
He couldn't get away fast enough could he?
Liza, Outathere
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by Kenneth Shaw, Erskine, Scotland
Thursday, February 18 2010, 6:58AM
“As someone that's voted labour all my working life, to see Austin Mitchell in his true form, i was totally disgusted. If this is what Labour MPs are like in real life i'm sorry they got my vote and am pleased to say they never will again. He's meant to be in the tower block learning what it's like living in they poor conditions these people have to live in. Going to dinner parties, drinking expensive bottles of wine isn't living like the poor of this country.I'd say it's time for this joke of an MP to resign and let someone replace him that actually cares about this country.”
by Catherine Rowlands, Pembrokeshire
Thursday, February 04 2010, 1:19PM
“I voted Labour for you to help change peoples circumstances. You are so out of touch you shouldn't be a Labour MP. You were more interested in buying your newspaper than about a young womens drug problem. You are not what Labour should be. Go”
by jon Grimsby, Grimsby
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 10:01PM
“i wonder what Austin got paid for this stunt ? or was it just expenses? the man has no idea like 99% of all MPs thinking of themselves instead of important issues like immigration !!!! whoops am i allowed to say that .”
by brenda, cleethorpes
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 10:00PM
“It was a joke iv never watched such rubbish in my life if thats all that mps have to do then god help us all”
by PK, South Bank
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 9:20PM
“Why oh Why did he return
He's still a Fool and A Boffon.
Retire please and give some young chap a go.
Maybe someone around 50 or 60”
by Ex Clee Grammar, Sussex UK
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 7:47PM
“He's back where he belongs - find his correct level at last.”
by stu, at home
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 5:52PM
“Austin didn¿t have to do it did he. how many MP`s refused channel 4`s offer? Some people work hard for a living, some are successful, some are not. But being an ex drug addict and single mum and sponging off the state is nothing to be proud of. If these people want things to improve, they will have to get off there behinds and do something about it. Rather than blameing everyone else.
ps, i am a NON LABOUR VOTER !”
by Bernard, Sth Killingholme.
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 4:17PM
“Just shows how bad the TV programmes are these days, if this is the only one that people watch when there are many channels to pick from.
I wouldn't waste my time or electricity watching such a fake politician after all his arrogant attitude was not really unexpected.
Sounds to me it was Mitchell doing what he does best, making a fool of himself.
You can see now why he doesn't want to give up his day job.”
by Rockabilly Rupert, Popcorn Lane
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 3:45PM
“I like the accompanying photo, clearly showing how Austin and his wife are sharing the plight and strain of actual tenants. Oh, no sorry they're just reading the papers.”
by Maria, Grimsby
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 2:21PM
“This programme just showed how out of touch Mitchell is with not just everyday life and people- but his wife's problems also. All he was concerned with was his morning paper. He should have been made to use the furniture provided, not purchase new ones and not go out to lunch with his wife to a friends home, this was defeating the whole object of the programme. He is so false and not interested in anyone else apart from himself.”