 He might have won the seat of Heston and Isleworth at the 1966 general election from Reader Harris, its Conservative MP, had it not been for a strong Liberal vote.Additionally he also lost the Leicester South West seat in a 1967 by-election, and finally fought Chichester at the subsequent election.He was elected Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Hayes and Harlington in a 1971 by-election.