Barratt joined the Social Democratic Federation and stood for Northampton Town Council, narrowly missing out on election.
[1] Barratt remained interested in politics, and from 1929, he served as a Labour Party member of Northampton Town Council.
He also stood unsuccessfully in Bethnal Green North East at the 1931 United Kingdom general election.
However, in 1934 he resigned from the council, arguing that it operated on an unbusinesslike basis, and took no further part in electoral politics.
He served as president of the Northampton Town Boot and Shoe Manufacturers Association from 1933, but was controversial in the industry for arguing for a shorter working week for employees.