In 1851, prior to the establishment of responsible self-government, Flood was elected to the semi-elected Legislative Council.

This seat was subsequently renamed Canterbury at the 1859 election and Flood retained it until he resigned in January 1860 apparently after a heated dispute with the Premier, William Forster.

Flood was politically radical and opposed the re-introduction of transportation and the autocratic powers of the Governors prior to the granting of responsible government.

He was socially conservative and had a reputation of being a tough businessman who objected to the level of wages demanded by labourers in the colony.

[1] Flood's only ministerial appointment was as Secretary for Public Works in the second government of Charles Cowper.