 He was returned as Member of Parliament for East Looe on the family interest at the 1708 British general election, probably with the support of his Tory uncles Bishop Trelawny, Bishop of Winchester and Major-General Charles Trelawny.His only significant political vote was to oppose the impeachment of Dr Sacheverell in 1710.However he was courting his cousin, Laetitia Trelawny daughter of the Bishop who was violently opposed to the match and as a result he was dropped at the 1710 British general election.