Lowe served Whig, later Liberal MP for Kidderminster 1852-59, Calne 1859-68, and London University 1868-80. Lowe was a talented orator, lawyer and politician in both Australia and Britain, held back by his being an albino and having poor eyesight. He held government office in the Boards of Trade and Education but later lead the successful opposition the Liberal Government’s reform bill. Despite this he served as Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer under Gladstone.