1868 election

Richards was elected to represent Cardiganshire at the 1868 general election, a contest noted for allegations of landlord coercion.^[3] His success in defeating John Vaughan, the Conservative candidate was alluded to the influence of the Pryse family of Gogerddan, leading landowners in the county.^[4] He also distanced himself from the Liberation Society which had sponsored the candidacy of Henry Richard in 1865.^[5]

The 1874 general election

When a general election was called at short notice in early 1874, Richards initially expected an unopposed return, but Thomas Edward Lloyd of Coedmore emerged at the last moment as a Conservative candidate, Lloyd was not a prominent landowner and his estate only comprised 450 acres.^[6] However, his father, Thomas Lloyd, a previous high sheriff of the county, was regarded as a Liberal rather than a Conservative.^[7] Also, Lloyd had also not been involved in conflict with his tenantry, and his candidacy would not, therefore, attract the same degree of opposition as would face one of the more prominent landowners.^[8]

Lloyd's candidacy was kept a closely guarded secret until nomination day, although his leaflets and campaign literature had been printed.^[8] The Liberal leaders in the county were unaware that they would be opposed until Lloyd's address, in which he described himself as a Liberal-Conservative, was published the morning of the nomination day.^[9] In later years, there were allegations of irregularities, and that a ballot box had been tampered with when kept overnight at Aberaeron.^[10]

Richards was defeated by 245 votes. The result was greeted with consternation and surprise in the Liberal ranks.^[11]