He was a radical and reformer who often collaborated with John Bright and had a noteworthy effect in the leadership of the Anti-Corn Law League, until its repeal in 1846.

Florence Nightingale helped him formulate the reform, in particular, ensure professionalisation of nursing as part of the poor law regime, the workhouses of which erected public infirmaries under an Act of the same year.

Villiers held Benthamite political views and enjoyed a long career in public service and Parliament.

In 1838, he spoke to over 5,000 "working-class men" in Manchester and told them that the presence of so large an audience gave him the proof that "the working class man was with him".

Villiers was unsuccessful in his attempts, but in 1840 sat on the Committee on Import Duties that provided much of the evidence that pressured Robert Peel into his sliding scale concession in 1842.

In February 1842, Villiers was called by Monckton Milnes MP, the "solitary Robinson Crusoe standing on the barren rock of Corn Law repeal".

During his time in Parliament he worked towards free trade and opposed the Corn Laws and home rule for Ireland.

He is noted as being the voice in parliament of the free trade movement before the election of Richard Cobden and John Bright.