 However, his decision to step down rather than "face the music" counted against him, and he had antagonised the local TGWU organiser.He was not selected for Goole when a vacancy arose in 1971, nor for Batley and Morley after the retirement of the ailing Sir Alfred Broughton, nor for Penistone in 1978, all seats where he was thought to have a chance.In 1979, Park was elected to Leeds City Council, on which he served for seven years.