At the 1970 general election, he was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Gravesend in Kent, a marginal seat which traditionally was won by the party in power (the 1970 general election resulted in a surprise victory for the Conservatives).
At the 1970 general election, he secured the parliamentary seat for Gravesend in Kent, a traditionally held seat by the ruling party. The Conservatives unexpectedly won this election.