[1] Politically, Howells was elected to Cardiganshire County Council as an Independent in 1952, defeating the sitting member by twelve votes.

At this time it was normal practice in Welsh rural counties for Liberal members to stand as independents.

However, in 1958 he was briefly appointed as agent for the prospective Labour candidate for Cardiganshire, Loti Rees Hughes.

In the February 1974 general election Howells defeated Morgan and retained the constituency in several different forms until 1992.

[1] In 1992, Howells unexpectedly lost his seat to Plaid Cymru (which moved from fourth place to first).

Plaid Cymru had formed an alliance with the Wales Green Party which attracted considerable support from non-Welsh speakers in the constituency.