Keighley’s MP was involved in a political heave-ho of a more physical nature than usual when he took part in a charity tug of war.

Kris Hopkins anchored the House of Commons to victory over the House of Lords at Macmillan Cancer Support’s 25th annual Parliamentary Tug of War in Westminster.

He joined forces with the cross-party team of MPs to defeat their noble opponents at the event, raising more than £100,000 for Macmillan to support people affected by cancer.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Hopkins said: “Macmillan’s Parliamentary Tug of War has, for many years, enabled politicians of all persuasions to pull together in aid of a great cause. The money raised will enable Macmillan to support many of the two million people in this country currently living with cancer.

“Given that the House of Lords team didn’t have a vote between them, the Commons victory was, in my view, one for the people and certainly the right outcome for democracy.”

The tug of war, which takes place in Westminster Abbey’s College Gardens, has been sponsored by Taylor Wimpey since it began and has raised more than £3.5 million since 1987.

The parliamentary match is one of a number of tug of war contests between rival city firms, the military versus the emergency services and, for the first time this year, Westminster journalists and bloggers.