Party politics in an igloo

Igloo building. Photo: Tania Branigan

Day three, Ovre Soppero, Sweden: "It's the first time I've seen MPs digging themselves into a hole and actually enjoying it," jokes Stephen, who's on the trip on behalf of Cancer Research.

The group is hard at work building four igloos - their accommodation for the night - under the deadpan instruction of Marcus, one of our local guides. Emily Thornberry and Lib Dem Jenny Willott are tasked with donning snowshoes and tramping around in a circle as the others chuck snow onto them.

Within an hour or so they are on top of a very large, icy mound ... with no obvious way down. "It's a Lib Dem landslide," Emily jokes as Jenny goes head over heels off the heap - only to somersault after her seconds later.

In truth, the MPs are getting on pretty well so far - though there are plenty of jokes at the expense of each others' parties. Lib Dem beard-and-sandal stereotypes, Notting Hill Tories, New Labour spin are all aired at length. Over dinner, they fall into more serious conversation about their political leanings.

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