Irish Home Rule and retirement from Parliament

During the 1885-86 Parliament it became clear that Allen's views ran contrary to those of the more radical wing of the Liberal Party. He voted against Lewis Dillwyn's bill proposing disestablishment of the Church of England in Wales, and was absent from the division on the land reform bill introduced by Jesse Collings.^[5] To compound matters, Allen voted against Gladstone's Irish Home Rule Bill and joined the ranks of the Liberal Unionists. He was also opposed to Welsh disestablishment.^[6]

Admiral Mayne had been re-adopted as Conservative candidate for Pembroke Boroughs following his narrow defeat the previous years and a suggestion was made that Allen contest the Pembrokeshire seat against William Davies with the support of the Conservatives.^[5] Meanwhile, the Conservatives of Milford Haven suggested that the party stand down in favour of Allen contesting the Boroughs as a Liberal Unionist.^[7] Allen does not appear to have seriously considered either option and it soon became known that he had decided to retire from the Commons.

Shortly after the election was announced, Mayne arrived in the constituency to launch his campaign. At a meeting in Pembroke's Masonic Hall, he emphasised that he had consulted with Allen before travelling to the constituency producing a letter in his possession from Allen confirming his decision to retire.^[8]