Hayhoe was elected the national chairman of the Young Conservatives in 1952 and left the civil service to contest Lewisham South at the 1964 election. He then worked for the Conservative Research Department.
Hayhoe's leadership role led him to become the national chairman of the Young Conservatives in 1952, prompting him to leave his government job to contest the 1964 election for Lewisham South. He then took a position at the Conservative Research Department.