Grocott later obtained a Master of Arts from the University of Manchester for research into Local Government.

His first attempt to become a member of Parliament was in the 1970 election when he stood unsuccessfully for South West Hertfordshire.

He served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Tony Blair, first as Leader of the Opposition and then Prime Minister, from 1994 until 2001.

He was made a life peer under the title of Baron Grocott, of Telford, in the County of Shropshire, on 2 July 2001,[4] quickly being promoted to a government whip in the House of Lords.

He has promoted further reform of the Lords, including attempts to abolish by-elections for hereditary peers.