 The following year, he began working full-time for the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) as its Derby and District Area Organiser, although he took time out at the 1964 United Kingdom general election to act as election agent in West Derbyshire.Torney was Member of Parliament for Bradford South from 1970 until his retirement at the 1987 general election.His successor was Bob Cryer.