From 1986 to 1989 he lived in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, working for the Association of Liberal Democrat Councilors[2] before moving back to Paignton in 1990.

In the 1994 European Election, he unsuccessfully stood for the Devon and East Plymouth constituency, the loss was partly blamed on one of the candidates, Richard Huggett, standing with the description 'Literal' Democrat.

[5] Following the 2001 election, Sanders was made the Liberal Democrat spokesman for tourism, and was subsequently moved to the position of Deputy Chief Whip of the Party in Parliament.

In the December 2007 leadership election Sanders remained neutral by not publicly backing any candidate, citing his position as Deputy Chief Whip.

In October 2011, he voted for a backbench motion to hold a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union, along with 110 other MPs in the House of Commons.

[13][14] On 5 November 2015, Sanders was elected as the Liberal Democrat councillor for the Clifton-with-Maidenway ward of Paignton, taking almost 70 per cent of the vote.