Over a period he served on Birkenhead County Borough Council, Wirral Borough Council and finally Merseyside County Council, leading the Liberal group. He tried twice, in 1964 and 1966, to win a parliamentary seat but was unsuccessful. As President of the Liberal Party in 1977-78, he played an important role in dealing with the fall-out from the controversy relating to the activities of former party leader Jeremy Thorpe.
He served on Birkenhead County Borough Council, Wirral Borough Council, and finally Merseyside County Council, leading the Liberal group. He attempted to win a parliamentary seat twice, in 1964 and 1966, but was unsuccessful. As President of the Liberal Party in 1977-78, he played a significant role in managing the fallout from the controversy surrounding former party leader Jeremy Thorpe.