Evans first stood for Parliament at the age of 23. In February and October 1974 he was the Conservative Party candidate for the ultra-safe Labour seat of Ebbw Vale, losing to Michael Foot , later Leader of the Labour Party, on each occasion. In 1979 he fought Wolverhampton North East, securing one of the highest pro-Conservative swings in the UK but was beaten by Renee Short. He contested the 1987 general election in the marginal Brecon and Radnorshire constituency, but missed election by 56 votes to the sitting Liberal MP Richard Livsey. in the closest result of the 1987 election.