[2] Davis first stood as Parliamentary candidate for the Conservative-held constituency of Portsmouth Langstone at the 1955 general election.

[2] Davis' first ministerial post, which he held from 1974 until 1979, was as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Companies, Aviation and Shipping in the governments of Prime Ministers Harold Wilson and James Callaghan.

Following the Conservative Party's victory in the 1979 general election, Davis remained on the Labour front bench as the Opposition Spokesman on Trade, Prices and Consumer Protection (1979–81) and Foreign Affairs (1981–83).

[3] In 1985, Davis was appointed to serve as European Commissioner alongside Lord Cockfield in the Delors Commission.

In 1990, Clinton-Davis was awarded the Grand Cross Order of King Leopold II of Belgium for services to the European Community.

[2] Clinton-Davis was a member of the United Kingdom Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and Western European Union (1999–2001).

[2][5] In the Lords, Clinton-Davis served as Opposition Spokesman for Transport (1990–1997),[2] and Supporting Spokesperson for Trade and Industry (1990–1996) and Foreign Affairs (1990–1997).

[6] Clinton-Davis has held a number of senior positions, including chairman (1989–96) and later president (1996–97) of the British Refugee Council.

[2] Clinton-Davis spoke in Parliament on numerous occasions on issues affecting the Jewish community and Israel.