Published: 10/03/2010 10:07 - Updated: 10/03/2010 10:24

THE Conservative Chief Whip is glad to see that Ashbournes ancient tradition is going from strength-to-strength. Mr McLoughlin was also delighted to see that senior Tories had caught sight of the game in the most unexpected of places.

He said: “I think it is so special in what it does and it’s so special in Ashbourne. It is almost a one-off, there are similar games, but nothing quite as robust as the Ashbourne game.

“What I have been surprised about is some of my colleagues coming up to me afterwards and saying ‘was that that game you were involved in?’.

“Someone saw it in a paper in New York and I had a friend last week, who was observing elections in Kurdistan and it was on the television in Kurdistan.

“I just thought this year’s attendance was amazing. It’s just so special. A few of my family and friends came along, my son came along — it was really excellent.

“I think the ball was painted so well. Tim Baker did a fantastic job on the ball itself, but sadly it didn’t look the same once it had been goaled — it was almost back to its natural state” Returning to Westminster from the half-term break, Mr McLoughlin was keen to show his fellow front benchers, and in particular David Cameron, what Shrovetide was all about.

He said: “I showed him the Ashbourne News Telegraph special; he was delighted to see that.

A number of colleagues mentioned it. The Daily Mail gave it quite a lot of coverage on their website and they had some fantastic photos as well.” Mr McLoughlin is pleased to see his party heading in the right direction and thinks Mr Cameron has ‘strong ideas for the country’ and represents a ‘break from the past’.

He said: “I think David Cameron has done a lot to change the public perception of the Conservative Party. He recognised what we needed to do.

“It is definitely an exciting time for the Conservative Party, but again I don’t take anything for granted, however, we are in a strong position in the poles and I think we could win the next General Election and if we do of course it will be exciting. There has been lots of frustration in the last 13 years and things you would like to put in to operation.” Mr McLoughlin has followed the Tory leader’s example in not accepting a new pay rise which was passed last week in Westminster.

He said: “I didn’t take last year’s pay increase and I shall not be taking this year’s pay increase. I think the fact that MPs will no longer be voting on their pay is a good thing overall, but I, along with David Cameron, did not take last year’s pay rise and I won’t be taking this year’s.” Although Mr McLoughlin has been an MP for some years now, he still acknowledges that he has a ‘fantastic job’ and says it is still a ‘great honour’.

He said: “I never take any election for granted. I’m obviously looking forward to the country getting a choice and hope to be returned, but I don’t take anything for granted.” Mr McLoughlin has no intention to give up his job any day soon; however, he admits that his fate is out of his hands.

He said: “It is not a matter for me; it is a matter for the electorate of West Derbyshire.

I’m only 52 so I’ve got a fair few years left in me yet, but the one thing about politics is you don’t know what is going to happen.”