Bass represented Derby in the House of Commons between 1848 and 1883, first as a Radical, and then as a member of the Liberal Party upon its founding in 1859, where he was an effective advocate for the brewing industry.

"[4] He focused on being a national advocate for the brewing industry against efforts by nonconformists within the Liberal Party to legislate against alcohol.

Bass was an orthodox Liberal supporting free trade, low taxes and improving living standards for the working class.

His obituarists claimed that his contributions totalled £80,000,[1] and that he had given Derby a new library, museum, school of art, recreation ground, and swimming baths.

William Ewart Gladstone offered Bass a peerage, which he declined, preferring to stay in the House of Commons.

His elder son Michael Arthur took over the responsibility for running the company, represented Stafford in Parliament, and was elevated to the peerage in 1897 as Lord Burton.

His other son Hamar Alfred also served as a member of Parliament (for Tamworth) but had gambling problems and was excluded from involvement in company affairs.