He was involved in number of community farm organizations including the United Farmers of Canada Saskatchewan section, Saskatchewan Farmers Union, (SFU), Interprovincial Farm Union Council, Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), National Farmers Union (NFA), Canadian Wheat Board and he was a representative at the International Wheat Agreement negotiations.

[5][7] Gleave was successful in two elections for the Saskatoon—Biggar federal electoral district as a candidate of the New Democratic Party (NDP) which he joined November 8, 1965.

[8] However Gleave started out representing the NDP in the Rosetown—Biggar federal electoral district in the 1965 election held November 8, 1965.

[1][8] He later moved to the Kindersley—Lloydminster federal electoral district and lost to Bill McKnight (PC Party) in the 1979 election.

[1][10] The 28th Canadian Parliament was set up September 12, 1968, and was controlled by a Liberal Party majority under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

[1][8][12] During his retirement years, he wrote a book about politics and farm organization, United We Stand, Prairie Farmers 1901–1975.