 He also became involved in politics, and in November 1957 he was chosen to follow Brigadier Sir Frank Medlicott as Conservative Party candidate for Central Norfolk for the next general election; Medlicott was in dispute with his Association over the Suez crisis, and had resigned the Conservative whip.At the 1959 general election, Collard found himself in an energetic contest with the Liberal candidate, Maxwell Goode; however, Collard won with an increased majority of nearly 7,000 and Goode came third.His Parliamentary speeches concentrated on RAF and aviation issues.