[1][3] Uttley's interest in working-class representation in politics led him to stand for Sheffield Town Council as a Liberal-Labour candidate.
He was elected for the St Philip's ward in 1886,[3] and persuaded the council to introduce the country's first "fair contracts" clause.
At the 1885 general election, he was critical of Mervyn Hawkes, candidate of the United Committee of Radical and Labour Organisations, claiming that Lib-Lab candidate Samuel Plimsoll "represented the great majority of working men electors".
[1] When the Independent Labour Party (ILP) emerged in the 1890s, Uttley remained strongly supportive of the Liberals, although he tried to use ILP support on the trades council to persuade the local Liberals to put forward more Lib-Lab candidates.
[5] In 1907, Uttley stood down from his trade union roles, taking a post on the council of the Hearts of Oak Friendly Society.