In autumn 2005, Carr was Liberal Democrat candidate in a Rossendale council by-election in Hareholme ward, coming in third place as Labour gained the seat from the Conservatives. A further attempt to win Greensclough ward in the 2006 local elections produced a greater defeat, and when he fought in 2007 he finished in third place with 23% of the vote. He was bottom of the poll in the 2008 contest in the ward. Since 2006 Carr has been helping Bacup Borough Football Club as a part-time promotions manager. In August 2010, Carr wrote to the local newspaper, noting that "I am seldom tempted these days to air my views via letters to papers". He criticised hypocrisy and tribalism in the Labour Party.