In 1774 Owen was returned unopposed. He does not appear in any of the minority lists, 1775-8; was described as ‘contra, present, friend’ over the contractors bill, 12 Feb. 1779; voted with Administration over the economical reform proposals of February and March 1780, but with Opposition on Dunning’s motion, 6 Apr. 1780, and the motion against prorogation, 24 Apr. 1780. Yet in Robinson’s survey of July 1780 he was classed as a Government supporter, and he now voted with Administration till the fall of North. He voted with Opposition on Shelburne’s peace preliminaries, 18 Feb. 1783; for Pitt’s proposals for parliamentary reform, 7 May 1783; and with Administration on Fox’s East India bill, 27 Nov. 1783. Robinson in his survey of December 1783 wrote: ‘Mr. Hugh Owen has grievances, and indeed some fair ones.’1Laprade, 97. In January 1784 he was listed by Robinson as ‘absent’, and in Stockdale’s list of 19 Mar. as Opposition, and henceforth he voted against Pitt.
He died 23 Jan. 1809.