[1] Politically, Turner was a Conservative, and in July 1852 was elected one of Liverpool's two members of parliament, along with William Forbes Mackenzie.
In the ensuing court proceedings the two men's election agents were found to have been guilty of bribery and treating.
In that year the representation of the existing constituency of South Lancashire was increased from two to three members of parliament.
In his nomination speech, he set out his opposition to the separation of church and state and to elections by secret ballot.
[5] The by-election was held on 17 August and Turner defeated his Liberal opponent by a majority of 834 votes.