He succeeded his father as Member of Parliament for Huntingdonshire in 1880, a seat he held until 1885 when the constituency was abolished, and then represented Ramsey until August 1887, when he inherited the barony on his father's death and entered the House of Lords.
He took over his father's role as a Member of Parliament for Huntingdonshire in 1880, holding it until the constituency was eliminated in 1885. He later represented Ramsey until August 1887, when he inherited the title upon his father's death and joined the House of Lords.