As a politician, he became Member of Parliament for Wick and later for Ripon. He was sent to the Mediterranean in July 1878 to take control of Cyprus and to occupy it in accordance with decisions reached at the Congress of Berlin. In a highly political appointment, he was made First Naval Lord in March 1886 when the Marquis of Ripon became First Lord of the Admiralty but had to stand down just five months later when William Gladstone's Liberal government fell from power in August 1886.
As a politician, he became Member of Parliament for Wick and later for Ripon. He was dispatched to the Mediterranean in July 1878 to oversee Cyprus's control and occupation as per decisions made at the Congress of Berlin. In a politically charged position, he was appointed First Naval Lord in March 1886 when Marquis of Ripon became First Lord of the Admiralty but had to step down just five months later when William Gladstone's Liberal government fell from power in August 1886.