In his later years, Bourchier became involved in politics, writing a pamphlet for the Independent Labour Party in 1926 on "Art and Culture in Relation to Socialism". At the time of his death he had been selected as Labour Party parliamentary candidate for Gloucester. At the subsequent election, his Labour Party successor failed by the narrow margin of 493 votes to defeat the Conservative candidate. In the last year of his life Bourchier embarked on a tour of South Africa. His departure was marked by a luncheon at Claridge's at which he was presented with a bronze bust of himself commissioned by old members of the OUDS in recognition of his work in founding and later subsidising the society.