barlow contested bedford unsuccessfully in 1900. six years later, at the 1906 general election he defeated the sitting conservative party mp entered the house of commons as member of parliament (mp) for the constituency, representing it until his defeat at the next general election in january 1910. whilst an mp he voted in favour of the 1908 women's enfranchisement bill. during the first world war, he served as recruiting officer, ranked as a lieutenant in 1915. he was promoted to captain in 1917 and became liaison office to the eastern command.