 In 1985, he became a founder member of the Progressive Democrats, but left the party when he was appointed to the Supreme Court.He remained very friendly with the former party leader and ex-Tánaiste, Michael McDowell, who was a friend at college and while both were active members of Fine Gael, a fellow founding member of the party, and best man at his wedding.Politically, Hardiman supported the liberal side in Ireland's debates over abortion, being active in the "anti-amendment" campaign during the 1982 Abortion Referendum and later represented the Well Woman Centre in the early 1990s.