Inside The Commons (BBC2, 9pm)

TRUST in our politicians is probably at an all-time low, and don’t get me started on who is worth voting for, but here we follow Charlotte Leslie, Conservative MP for Bristol North West, and Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, as they learn the arcane ways of the House of Commons. Both will be aiming to extend their stay after the May 7 General Election.

This view of our political institution, peeling plaster and leaking roofs included, is in the hands of awar- winning reporter Michael Cockerell who presents a four-part documentary series which has filmed places where cameras are normally forbidden and with unprecedented access.

Travelling deep inside the corridors of the Palace of Westminster this series reveals what really went on behind the scenes during a remarkable year in politics, in the run up just about the most unpredictable General Elections ever.

Inside the Commons follows Ministers and MPs, high and low, as they seek to navigate the machinery of the House, to make the laws and fight their constituents’ battles. There’s the keeper of Big Ben, the Hawker responsible for keeping pigeons off the 19th Century stonework and the gospel-singing tea lady Gladys Dickson of the Members’ Tea Room plus the host of people who keep the Commons working - and it’s no easy task. Staff often have to strive to keep the country’s most iconic and historic building functioning as a modern parliament.

It wouldn’t be a proper visit without a view from the top of the political tree and Prime Minister David Cameron and Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband, reveal what happens at the lively weekly clash of comments, known as Prime Ministers Questions. Both reveal that they have an attack of nerves before this most-televised of occasions.

This rare glimpse into the weird and wonderful world of Westminster - with its 2,000 rooms, 110 staircases and miles of corridors - asks if Parliament is currently fit for purpose. Mr Cockerell offers us a few answers as he seeks our vote for a four-week term of office.

Paul O’Grady Animal Orphans (ITV, 9pm)

THIS is the third and last visit to orphaned animals in the wilds of South Africa and Zambia. Our gobby host has already shown us that young lions, cheetahs, hippos, elephants, baboons, and rhinos, among others, are in danger because of humans; either because their parents have been poached and killed, or their natural habitat has been destroyed.

O’Grady visits Bambelela, a rehabilitation centre for orphaned vet monkeys, where he cares for ten-month old Toledo, playing with him, feeding and trying to get him to settle at night - which isn't the easiest of tasks. The presenter is also on hand to help test a troop of older monkeys to see if they're ready for life in the wild - so it's time to bring out the rubber snakes, an eagle kite and a toy leopard.

Moholoholo Rehab Centre allows him to discover what it's like to be a volunteer with daily walks through the bush, cleaning the enclosures, and looking after the smelliest animal at the centre - the honey badger. Paul hits it off with five-month-old Julius, whose mum was hit by a car - but the badger takes quite a shine to the presenter and scent marks him several times.

"I feel like I've been trapped in a lift with 18 people who suffer from the worst BO in the world," he says.

Rory Bremner's Coalition Report (BBC2, 10pm)

THE comic is making his long-awaited return to the Beeb after a whopping 20 years, and bringing pals John Bird, Matt Forde, Sara Pascoe and Jan Ravens along for good measure.

Filmed in Manchester just before transmission, Bremner explores the political landscape 800 years after the Magna Carta was written, using sketches, stand-up and archive material. And put under the spotlight, how will David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg, Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage fair?