after campbell returned from ceylon (around 1823) he resided at ravensdale estate in the parish of ballaugh on the isle of man, where he was appointed as a magistrate. around 1846 lieutenant governor john ready selected campbell to serve as a member of the house of keys. however campbell refused to attend the swearing in at castle rushen as he disagreed with the way in which members of the house of keys were appointed, having previously been a signatory to a petition to queen victoria requesting that she change the appointment process.