Simon Read: 'BBC Radio 4's Two Rooms showed that people feel let down by politicians'

The programme featured two groups of voters who shared their feelings about whether Britain provides a financially stable society

Are politicians listening to voters' financial concerns? That's one of the questions posed in a new BBC Radio 4 programme broadcast this week, in which I took part. Two groups of voters were given a chance to share their feelings about whether the Britain provides a financially stable society – and the results were fascinating.

In one group were half a dozen people who admitted they were worried that they couldn't afford to meet their monthly bills. In the other group – in a separate recording studio – were gathered six relatively successful business people.

I analysed the views of the first group, reporting on what their discussion revolved around. They were angry and felt betrayed. The key issue for most of them was keeping a roof over their heads or finding decent work. As Londoners, the majority reported struggling with rising rents and being offered exploitative zero-contract, minimum wage-jobs.

There were shocking reports of people forced to drink sugared water just to ensure there was enough food left to feed their children. And, despite the view of some in the more privileged group that people on benefits tend to be "scroungers", the struggling people in the programme were far from that, all retaining a desire to work and contribute to the community. I was impressed by the dignity and integrity showed by them all.

But what became clear to me as they shared their anger is that there are a lot of people who feel badly let down by politicians, and believe that they are too in thrall to the needs of big business rather than the wider electorate. That's a reality seldom mentioned by many of our self-serving career politicians.

The programme - Two Rooms - is being repeated tomorrow at 10.15pm on Radio 4. Do listen and let me know what you think.

s.read@independent.co.uk

twitter: @simonnread