Headley was one of the young contenders for Pitt’s seat for Cambridge University in 1806, proposed by Pitt’s friends at Trinity College, but he made way for Palmerston.
Sir ark Masterman Sykes a candidate for the city of York in order to get rid of Lord Headley (who had come down thither to oppose him) recommended him to come to Malton where he promised him all his interest and support which he accordingly accepted.
Headley mentioned in his addresses to the Malton voters his support for ‘the just and undoubted prerogative of the crown’ and ‘the established religion of the country’, but it was local dissatisfaction with Fitzwilliam and his agents rather than national political issues which placed him second on the poll after Leatham had stood down in his favour.
