Barne was the first son of Miles Barne of Sotterley, a Member of Parliament for Dunwich, and the only with his first wife, Elizabeth Elwick, daughter of Nathaniel Elwick of May Place, Kent, a Governor of Madras.
[2] Dunwich was a Parliamentary constituency in Suffolk, which had largely fallen into the sea and had a dwindling population by the late eighteenth century; it was home to roughly 40 voters.
[5] However, his brother's ambition and service was driven by his desire for an office and, when he was appointed a Tax Commissioner in 1791, the seat became vacant.
With Miles Barne now having little choice, he was returned as Dunwich's Member of Parliament in 1791.
[6] He had reluctantly accepted the post of High Sheriff for 1790–91 and much preferred the living of a country squire than a public servant.