In tonight's edition of the documentary series about how we live today, wives of Tory MPs talk candidly about the toll that their husbands's careers have had on them and their families. See today's choices.
Ladies of the House: page 31

Modern Times 9.00pm BBC2
"When I first got married," says Anita Townsend, wife of ex-MP Cyril, "an old Peeress said to me 'My dear, you will either become a drunkard, get religion or take a lover'." Not a good prognosis - so why do women marry into the politics? Tonight's Modern Times looks at the sometimes lonely life of Tory wives, often left alone in the constituency while their husbands stalk the corridors of power.
Lady Hannam, wife of Exeter MP Sir John, calls these dutiful spouses "Stepford wives". "I find their loyalty to a system which makes them and their families such victims rather puzzling," she says. "Look at all the broken marriages, resentful wives, resentful children." Modern Times follows a group of wives through a particularly turbulent summer; read more about political bedfellows on page 31.