When a dose of reality turned to despair for MP (From Hampshire Chronicle)

When a dose of reality turned to despair for MP

5:10pm Tuesday 2nd February 2010 in News By Chris Harris

THIS is Winchester’s MP at the depths of despair.

It’s the latest chapter in the life of Mark Oaten who spent a week in an Essex tower block as part of a Channel 4 documentary.

The Lib Dem’s low point comes early on after a youth shouts “rent boy” at him, prompting Mr Oaten to lie face down on the turf with his head in his hands.

But Mr Oaten, who resigned from the Lib Dem front bench in 2006 following revelations he had been with two male prostitutes, said it was the general experience that had got to him.

“I was already getting depressed about being in the tower block,” said Mr Oaten.

“One person shouted something out — over the whole time it was a positive experience.”

Mr Oaten spent eight days living on a Dagenham housing estate where he said many have turned to the British National Party (BNP).

Deprived of his wallet and mobile phone, Mr Oaten had to survive on benefits, which amounts to around £35 a week.

He said life became such a struggle at one point he wondered whether he could afford the bus fare to the employment centre.

He said he was advised to do what everyone else in the block would do — buy a lottery ticket.

A £1 ticket netted him £85.

Cllr George Beckett, who leads Winchester City Council, said: “I’m not sure that this will put Winchester in the best light.

“Mr Oaten is well known for his concern about the less privileged, and I’m sure being involved in this programme was done with the right intention.”

But longtime Labour opponent Patrick Davies said: “Like many Lib Dems, Oaten’s entire political career has been based on one stage-managed gimmick after another.”

So what prompted him to agree to the documentary?

Mr Oaten said: “It was a real chance to do something in more depth.

“I get 20 minutes with my constituents and this was a chance to really learn about these issues.

“It also challenges me and takes me out of my comfort zone.”

He added: “Housing conditions were particularly awful and much worse than Winchester.

“I also learned about racism and why people vote for the BNP.”

Tower Block of Commons — which started last night (Monday) on Channel 4 — sees four MPs leave the comfort of their homes to spend eight days in tower blocks on some of Britain’s most deprived estates.

As well as Mr Oaten, the fourpart series also features former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith.

What do you think? "Stage-managed gimmick" or a genuine attempt to learn about life in a tower block? Leave your comments below.